Histology Technician I

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is seeking a Histology Technician I to focus mainly on advanced immunohistochemistry, which includes optimizing complex protocols, validating antibodies, and staining slides for diagnostic and research cases. This position will cross train in the diagnostic histology lab to handle routine tasks like receiving, processing, and preparing tissue specimens for Pathologist review. This role combines core histology processes such as embedding, microtomy, and routine staining with specialized automated and manual IHC and IFC techniques. In addition, the technician helps with quality control, equipment maintenance, and supporting student workers and other techs.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Two years of experience in laboratory work or related areas.
• Strong understanding of tissue processing, antigen retrieval, sectioning, and staining techniques.
• Ability to troubleshoot routine equipment and staining artifacts.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize daily task workflows under deadlines.
• Customer-service oriented with strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with pathologists, residents, and lab personnel.

Nice To Haves

• 2 years of related laboratory experience including microtomy, tissue processing, and basic IHC/IFC staining techniques.
• HT (ASCP), HTL (ASCP), or equivalent certification.
• Experience with antibody optimization, image analysis/fluorescence microscopy, automated IHC stainers, and digital scanning software.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific field.
• Working knowledge of histology related equipment and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual and automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IFC) staining protocols on tissue sections.
• Assists with testing, validating new antibodies, and optimizing protocol parameters for veterinary diagnostic and research needs.
• Assists in maintaining procedural logs, updating laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and documenting antibody cross-reactivity and specs.
• Receives tissue specimens for clinical/diagnostic cases; sorts and prioritizes tissues based on urgency and lab standards.
• Operates tissue processing instrumentation for dehydration, clearing, and paraffin infiltration. Sorts and embeds tissue specimens into paraffin blocks.
• Performs microtomy (cutting tissue sections via microtome) for FFPE tissue. Mounts and performs routine staining (automated and manual) and coverslipping.
• Plans and prepares solutions required for special staining procedures.
• Evaluates and QC-checks slides prior to delivering cases to Pathologists and residents to ensure high-quality sectioning and staining.
• Performs routine maintenance, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting on lab instrumentation (microtomes, tissue processors, embedding units, auto-stainers, and solvent recyclers). Records output and calibration logs.
• Monitors inventory levels of reagents, chemicals, and lab supplies. Uses laboratory tracking systems to place reorders to ensure uninterrupted workflow.
• Operates and maintains digital slide scanners to capture high-resolution images for diagnostic review.
• Ensures proper file naming, quality assessment of scanned images, and upload to digital image repositories.
• Communicates with Pathologists and residents regarding slide/block checkouts, special requests, submission status, and completed cases.
• Assists with training student workers on routine lab techniques and IHC/IFC safety protocols.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Free exercise programs and release time
• All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED