Histology Technician

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures specimens are properly accessioned, labeled, and suitable for testing.
• Cuts quality tissue sections with proper thickness as determined by tissue type and places properly on glass slides.
• Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks.
• Maintains a filing system for paraffin tissue blocks, slides, and wet tissue.
• Processes tissue using processors to ensure full preservation and infiltration by paraffin.
• Performs routine and special stains, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping, verification, and distribution of slides.
• Retrieves and prints computer logs.
• Manages daily workflow for recuts, special stains, immunohistochemistry, control slides, and send-outs according to established protocols.
• Performs and documents quality control.
• Evaluates quality control results and takes corrective action under the guidance of key operators, technical specialists, or supervisor.
• Performs and documents cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of instruments and equipment.
• Assists pathologists during frozen section procedures.
• Ensures compliance with all accrediting agency standards.
• Provides assistance to pathologists, externs, and other team members.

Qualifications

• Histotechnician (HT) certification issued by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).
• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Biology or related field.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Knowledge of human anatomy.
• Must be detail oriented and have good organizational and communication skills.
• Must know how to safely handle sharp instruments.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Must be able to problem solve.
• Good manual dexterity.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Sits and stands the majority of the workday, walks, lifts, squats, bends, and twists throughout.
• Frequently lifts up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, radioactive, and infectious agents.
• Exposed to human blood, body fluids, and tissue.
• Must wear appropriate lab coat, gloves, gowns, and eye and face protection as needed.
• Must be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• May require travel, potentially exposing to inclement weather and adverse road conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.