Histopathology Technologists

About the Role

The Histopathology Technician will provide all processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining procedures related to histopathology specimen handling to deliver the best pathology materials for diagnosis.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot processors, embedding stations, automated stainers, and cryostats used to prepare patient specimens as requested by a pathologist.
• Perform microtomy and cryotomy, maintaining a skill level sufficient to produce high-quality section slides.
• Set up technical procedures for processing frozen sections or touch preparations.
• Perform decalcification of all bone types (dense cortical, spongy cancellous, and small bone marrow biopsies) using various acids and acid/fixative combinations.
• Execute special processing and staining of diverse tissue types, including skin, bone, nerve, brain, and lymph nodes.
• Conduct a wide variety of special stains demonstrating microorganisms, anatomical characteristics, carbohydrates, amyloids, pigments, minerals, cytoplasmic granules, and enzyme histochemistry.
• Maintain accurate records of work output for periodic reports, equipment maintenance, QC logs, and other required documentation.
• File tissue blocks and slides, set up new filing systems as needed, and repair broken or damaged slides.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in tissue specimen preservation, fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, and staining (including complex special stains and immunohistochemistry).
• Histopathology Technologist Certification preferred.
• Ability to obtain Histopathology Technologist Certification.

Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge and skill in histopathology applications and methods.
• Understanding of fixation, dehydration, and infiltration theory for tissue samples.
• Proficiency in all aspects of microtomy and slide preparation for routine histology, histochemistry, immunohistology, and specimen sectioning for genetic studies.
• Expertise in tissue orientation, embedding in paraffin wax, and proper microtomy techniques for all tissue types, including bone.
• Knowledge of optimal sectioning procedures for all tissue types.
• Ability to identify tissue morphology and determine correct embedding, sectioning, and staining reactions.
• Experience in instructing and training other technicians and assisting residents in training.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of specialized and general laboratory equipment.
• Basic computer proficiency.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Regularly required to sit and communicate.
• Frequent use of repeated motions involving arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision.