Histotechnician

Responsibilities

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

American Society of Clinical Pathologists registered histologic technician HT (ASCP) or histotechnologist HTL (ASCP) OR Bachelors degree in science such as microbiology, 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 exams such as trimming, processing and embedding tissues, examining histochemical and immunohistochemical slides, and/or cutting and staining tissue sections.

• Must demonstrate the 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
• Medical background, and knowledge of procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and medical records procedure preferred
• Must have excellent organizational skills to cope with an extremely busy work schedule associated with wide variety of techniques which must be handled accurately and expeditiously
• Must function independently in dealing with specimens and their proper handling
• Interact with physicians, patients, staff, visitors, and all customers via telephone conversations and in person in a pleasant and helpful manner
• Ability to stay calm while working quickly and with a high degree of accuracy to meet the demands of the daily workload
• On own initiative, ability to identify potential problems and troubleshoot problems as necessary
• Good interpersonal skills to interact effectively with co-workers and department staff
• Ability to work under general supervision

Requires sitting and standing for long periods associated with a pathology lab environment; good near-sighted vision for reading pathology diagnosis and reports; ability to work 2nd and 3rd shift hours required, travel as business needs require.