Histology Technician

Harris County•Houston, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Histology Technician is responsible for preparing microscopic slides for analysis by Forensic Pathologists. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) provides medical examiner and crime laboratory services with a mission to offer the highest quality, unbiased services with uncompromised integrity. Their vision is to provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the community, create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice, and establish an academic environment for training in Forensic Science.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree or equivalent (60 college hours) and current enrollment in or completion of Histotechnology or Histotechnician program that is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Previous experience in the use of microtomes, automatic stainer, automatic slide and coverslippers, tissue processors and manual staining and coverslipping processes.
Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists as a Histotechnician within one year of employment.
Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License to facilitate transport of off-site supplies/samples.
Must be capable of understanding and adhering to strict protocols for the handling and storage of tissue samples, glass slides and blocks.
Knowledge of histology laboratory safety rules and procedures is essential.
Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers to assure that protocols are rigidly observed and assure the highest standards of casework.
Basic computer skills to include Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a Histology Laboratory where duties included production of slide stains and preservation of tissue samples.

Responsibilities

Prepares stained slides of tissue samples as requested by Assistant Medical Examiners in a carefully controlled environment.
Prepares paraffin blocks of tissue for long-term storage; assures that blocks are labeled in accordance with Histology Laboratory protocols.
Retrieves, transports, stores and disposes of blocks, slides, specimens and paperwork according to histology laboratory procedures.
Handles communication internally between pathologists and the histology personnel to ensure all requests and inquiries are handled in a timely manner and responds to external requests to retain, release, or prepare specimens in accordance with histology laboratory procedures.
Maintains log of tissue samples entering the histology lab and completes the histology laboratory electronic case file and uses this information to compile monthly statistical reports.
Delivers tissue slides to the assigned Assistant Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, or the Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner on a timely basis.
Mentors and assists training of interns, students and others during their training period in the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) Histology Laboratory.
Other duties as assigned.