Histotechnician
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, and staining, including routine H&E, special stains, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The Histotechnician reviews slides for quality, maintains laboratory equipment and supplies, documents tissue preparation and quality-control activities, and performs block and slide tracking and billing through the laboratory information system. The position also supports quality assurance, proficiency testing, CLIA patient safety goals, and a neat, orderly, and safe laboratory environment. Work is performed under general supervision, with travel as business needs require. The role requires the ability to work second- and third-shift hours.
Requirements
- Hold an American Society of Clinical Pathologists registration as a histologic technician (HT (ASCP)) or histotechnologist (HTL (ASCP)); or have a bachelor's degree in science, such as microbiology or chemistry, or a closely related field plus one year of clinical histology experience; or have two years (24 months) of responsible work experience and/or on-the-job training in histologic techniques in a laboratory performing qualitative and quantitative examinations.
- Demonstrate the ability to gross, embed, section, and stain routine tissue to acceptable quantity and quality standards.
- Have knowledge of biology, chemistry, histology, immunology, mathematics, and basic computer use.
- Have excellent organizational skills to handle a busy workload and a wide variety of techniques accurately and efficiently.
- Function independently in handling specimens and ensuring their proper handling.
- Remain calm while working quickly and accurately to meet daily workload demands.
- Have good interpersonal skills for effective interaction with coworkers and department staff.
- Be able to work under general supervision.
- Be able to sit and stand for long periods in a pathology laboratory environment.
- Have good near-sighted vision for reading pathology diagnoses and reports.
- Be able to work second- and third-shift hours and travel as business needs require.
Nice To Haves
- Medical background and knowledge of procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and medical records procedures are preferred.
Responsibilities
- Maintain diagnostic viability of received specimens and ensure correct labeling of all materials.
- Gross, process, embed, and section surgical tissue for microscopic examination.
- Cut and stain sections for rapid diagnosis and section paraffin blocks according to procedure.
- Perform routine H&E staining and established or new special and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains.
- Examine slides under a microscope and submit only slides that meet quality standards.
- Prepare and maintain tissue fixatives, paraffins, staining reagents, and solutions.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and perform minor adjustments and repairs to microtomes, embedding machines, tissue processors, and slide and block printers.
- Maintain records of tissue preparations and quality control.
- Keep the laboratory neat, orderly, and safe while following applicable guidelines.
- Perform block and slide tracking, lookup, and billing functions through the LIS system, and use information-system downtime procedures when appropriate.
- Review blocks and slides using technical and scientific knowledge; consult a supervisor before releasing unusual or unanticipated materials, and follow laboratory SOPs for preparation and distribution.
- Perform quality assurance procedures, including quality-control testing, instrument function checks, periodic maintenance, and related recordkeeping.
- Participate in proficiency testing as needed.
- Follow all CLIA Patient Safety Goals and perform other duties as directed.
- Handle specimens independently and identify or troubleshoot potential problems as appropriate.
- Interact pleasantly and helpfully with physicians, patients, staff, visitors, and other customers in person and by telephone.
