Histotechnician (70648)

United Digestive•Alpharetta, GA

13d

About The Position

The Histotechnician maintains the diagnostic viability and correct labeling of specimens and prepares surgical tissue for microscopic examination. The role performs grossing, processing, embedding, sectioning, routine H&E staining, special stains, and immunohistochemistry staining, and reviews slides under a microscope to ensure high quality. It also includes maintaining reagents, fixatives, paraffins, laboratory equipment, preparation and quality-control records, and a safe, orderly work area. The Histotechnician uses the laboratory information system for tracking, look-up, and billing, follows laboratory procedures and information-system downtime procedures, and consults a supervisor about unusual or unanticipated blocks or slides before release. The position performs quality assurance activities, may participate in proficiency testing, follows CLIA Patient Safety Goals, and performs other assigned duties.

Requirements

One of the following: ASCP-registered histologic technician HT (ASCP) or histotechnologist HTL (ASCP); a bachelor's degree in science such as microbiology or chemistry, or a closely related field, plus one year of clinical histology experience; or two years (24 months) of responsible work experience and/or on-the-job training in histologic techniques in a laboratory facility performing qualitative and quantitative examinations, such as tissue trimming, processing and embedding, examining histochemical and immunohistochemical slides, and/or cutting and staining tissue sections.
Demonstrated ability to gross, embed, section, and stain routine tissue with acceptable quantity and quality.
Knowledge of biology, chemistry, histology, immunology, mathematics, and basic computer use.
Excellent organizational skills to manage a very busy schedule and a wide variety of techniques accurately and expeditiously.
Ability to work independently in handling specimens and ensuring their proper handling.
Ability to communicate pleasantly and helpfully with physicians, patients, staff, visitors, and other customers by telephone and in person.
Ability to remain calm while working quickly and accurately to meet daily workload demands.
Ability to identify potential problems on one's own initiative and troubleshoot as necessary.
Good interpersonal skills for effective interaction with coworkers and department staff.
Ability to work under general supervision.
Ability to work second- and third-shift hours.
Ability to travel as business needs require.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods and good near-sighted vision for reading pathology diagnoses and reports.

Nice To Haves

Medical background.
Knowledge of procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and medical records procedures.

Responsibilities

Maintain diagnostic viability of received specimens and ensure correct labeling of all materials.
Gross, process, embed, and section surgical tissue submitted for microscopic examination.
Cut and stain sections for rapid diagnosis.
Section paraffin blocks according to procedure.
Perform routine H&E staining and implement established and new special stains and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains.
Examine produced slides using a microscope and submit only high-quality slides.
Prepare and maintain tissue fixatives and paraffins for embedding, and maintain reagents and staining solutions.
Maintain laboratory equipment and make minor adjustments and repairs to microtomes, embedding machines, tissue processors, and slide and block printers.
Maintain records of tissue preparations and quality control.
Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe laboratory environment while adhering to guidelines.
Perform basic tracking, look-up, and billing functions for blocks and slides through the LIS system.
Use information-system downtime procedures when appropriate.
Review blocks and slides using technical and scientific knowledge to recognize and verify validity and clinical relevance; consult a supervisor before releasing unusual or unanticipated materials.
Follow laboratory SOPs for block and slide preparation and distribution.
Perform quality assurance procedures, including quality-control testing, instrument function checks, and periodic maintenance, and maintain related records.
Participate in proficiency testing as needed.
Follow all CLIA Patient Safety Goals.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as directed.