Histotechnician

United Digestive•Alpharetta, GA

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Histotechnician works in United Digestive Pathology Services’ Alpharetta, Georgia laboratory and prepares surgical tissue specimens for microscopic examination. The role includes maintaining specimen viability and accurate labeling; processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining tissue; inspecting slides for quality; and maintaining laboratory reagents, equipment, records, and quality-control procedures. The position also performs block and slide tracking and billing through the laboratory information system, follows laboratory SOPs and CLIA Patient Safety Goals, and works under general supervision.

Requirements

One of the following: ASCP-registered histologic technician (HT) or histotechnologist (HTL); 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 laboratory work experience and/or on-the-job training in histologic techniques.
For the experience pathway, background must include work in a laboratory performing qualitative and quantitative examinations such as tissue trimming, processing and embedding, examination of 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 busy workload involving varied techniques accurately and expeditiously.
Ability to function independently when handling specimens and ensure their proper handling.
Ability to remain calm while working quickly and accurately to meet daily workload demands.
Ability to identify potential problems and troubleshoot on one's own initiative.
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 and knowledge of procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and medical-records procedures.
Pleasant and helpful communication with physicians, patients, staff, visitors, and other customers in person and by telephone.

Responsibilities

Maintain diagnostic viability of 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 produced slides using a microscope and submit only high-quality slides.
Prepare and maintain tissue fixatives, paraffins, staining reagents, and 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.
Keep the laboratory neat, orderly, and safe while adhering to applicable guidelines.
Perform basic tracking, look-up, and billing functions for blocks and slides through the LIS system, and use system downtime procedures when appropriate.
Review blocks and slides using technical and scientific knowledge to verify validity and clinical relevance; consult a supervisor about unusual or unanticipated findings before release.
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 appropriate records.
Participate in proficiency testing as needed.
Follow all CLIA Patient Safety Goals and perform other duties as directed.