HC Mgr -Histotechnology

The Section Manager of the Histology Laboratory, including the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) laboratories, reports to the Faculty Section Head and provides leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight for the Histology section and its associated laboratory services within the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).

This position ensures the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services that support the VDL's mission of advancing animal health through timely, accurate diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, and collaboration in research and education.

Success in this role requires strong leadership and supervisory skills, advanced knowledge of histology and immunohistochemistry, expertise in laboratory quality systems and regulatory compliance, sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and effective communication and collaboration with pathologists, researchers, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

35%- Section Manager of Histology (Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) services)

• Collaborates with the Faculty Section Head, Director, and Finance to develop, monitor, and manage the operating budgets for the Histology Lab; forecasts supply, equipment, maintenance, and staffing needs; monitors expenditures; provides budget justifications; and identifies opportunities for cost-effective resource utilization while maintaining high-quality laboratory operations.
• Develops and implements strategic plans for the Histology Lab to improve operational efficiency, expand diagnostic services, support research initiatives, evaluate emerging technologies, and meet the evolving needs of clients and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Monitors laboratory workload, turnaround times, productivity metrics, and staffing requirements to optimize laboratory operations and ensure timely diagnostic services.
• Provides laboratory diagnostic services by developing, implementing, overseeing, and, as needed, performing specimen preparation and testing procedures; evaluates laboratory results to ensure diagnostic accuracy, quality, and compliance with established standards.
• Serves as a liaison between unit laboratories, pathologists, and other laboratories; consults with pathologists and research investigators.
• Coordinates equipment maintenance, including replacement, service, repair, calibration, preventative maintenance, and documentation in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and laboratory quality requirements.
• Participates in proficiency testing with external organizations and government agencies, including preparation of materials for national proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparison programs.
• Oversees quality control and quality assurance programs; develops and maintains SOPs, documentation, forms, and records; reviews and approves revisions to policies and procedures; generates reports; ensures compliance with AAVLD Quality System Essential Requirements, and other applicable accreditation standards; investigates nonconforming work and implements corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manages laboratory inventory by monitoring stock levels, forecasting needs, ordering supplies, and verifying receipt; maintains detailed records of hazardous chemicals and reagents and ensures availability of safety information; monitors supply expenditures and purchasing trends to support budget planning and fiscal accountability.
• Prepares and oversees preparation of laboratory reagents, buffers, stains, and other solutions required for diagnostic testing, ensuring accurate labeling, documentation, and quality.
• Participates in collaborative diagnostic and research projects within the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and with internal and external investigators.
• Maintains professional and technical expertise through conferences, workshops, webinars, and review of professional publications.
• Represents the Histology Lab in management meetings, instructional settings, and tours.

20%- Supervision

• Conducts staff competency evaluations to ensure ongoing proficiency and compliance.
• Organizes and oversees daily operations and workload distribution across the Histology Lab; directs, assigns, and delegates staff duties and projects.
• Develops and maintains position descriptions, role documentation, and staff schedules.
• Reviews and approves employee leave requests.
• Manages staffing needs by justifying positions, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, disciplining, and, when necessary, terminating employees.
• Solicits staff feedback to improve workflow, refines standard operating procedures, assigns special projects, and communicates strategic goals.
• Provides operational backup during staff absences by performing complex laboratory procedures including tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, routine and special staining, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping, quality control review, reagent preparation, troubleshooting…