Histotech Assistant

Responsibilities

• Specimen Handling: Receives, verifies, labels, and enters patient/specimen data into the lab system (LIS), building a case and setting up specimens for PA to gross.
• Lab Maintenance: Maintains a clean work area, manages wet tissue storage, disposes of hazardous waste (like formalin), and cleans equipment.
• Customer Service: Answers and routes phone calls from Operating Room, Nurses, Doctors, and Hospital Staff.
• Quality Control (QC): Performs QC checks, temperature monitoring, and equipment maintenance.
• Compliance: Adheres to strict safety (OSHA), confidentiality (HIPAA), and accreditation (CAP/CLIA) standards.
• Support: Assists PA’s and histotechnologists as needed, handling and routing phone calls, and performing clerical duties.
• Operational Tasks: Loads prepared cassettes into a tissue processor and starts the processor. Maintains cleanliness of the anatomic pathology suite. Operates and cleans laboratory equipment, instruments, and workstations. Maintains wet tissue storage. Stores, rotates, and disposes of all wet tissues in accordance with departmental procedures. Disinfects and maintains specimen storage cabinets. Disposes of hazardous chemical wastes per regulatory guidelines. Properly labels, stores, handles, and disposes of reagents and hazardous wastes according to local, state, and federal regulations; this may include recycling or reprocessing of reagents used in the department including neutralizing formalin before disposal. Stocks supplies, and assists with clerical duties.
• Laboratory Equipment Management: Maintains laboratory equipment and tracks all routine maintenance and quality controls performed.
• Compliance: Adheres to CAP, CLIA, state regulations, HIPAA, safety, and OSHA regulations.

Qualifications

• Required: High school degree or equivalent. Basic computer and keyboard skills. Good communications skills for interacting with laboratory staff. Ability to follow detailed instructions and protocols.
• Prior experience in a clinical or research laboratory setting is preferred.
• Strong understanding of lab protocols and safety standards.
• Familiarity with histologic techniques and procedures.
• A certified Histotechnician (HT) credential is preferred.
• A basic understanding of medical terminology.
• Completion of a histologic technician training program or related coursework.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety and infection control procedures.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and software.