Histotechnologist

Indianapolis, Indiana

About the Role

This position is posted at a Histotechnologist - Mastery Career Level but may be filled at a Histotechnician - Intermediate Career Level depending on the candidate's qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may differ if filled at the lower rank.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Conducts neuro-histology and neuro-immunohistochemistry techniques on human tissue.

Responsibilities

• Prepares tissue specimens for paraffin sectioning, frozen sections, or other appropriate methods for diagnostic, teaching, and research.
• Prepares human and animal tissue for high complexity testing, including microtomy involving fixation, dehydration, processing, decalcification, embedding, glycol methacrylates, enzyme histochemical staining, biochemistry staining, and machine maintenance.
• Performs routine and specialized sectioning and cutting of tissue, non-standard size sectioning and cutting of tissue and tissue blocks, preparation of slides, routine and developmental histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, and electron microscopy.
• Receives and logs cases, organizes and stores fixed and frozen tissue, and prepares and maintains reagents.
• Changes or modifies procedures to demonstrate specific cellular or tissue components of diagnostic importance.
• Assists employees and students with the selection of specific staining techniques for diagnostic purposes and provides technical advice and information as needed.
• Solves problems, resolves, and works through abnormal findings or issues reported by lower histotech positions.
• Assists in researching and developing new procedures and techniques for diagnostic purposes.
• Trains and educates new employees and students on standard operating procedures and laboratory protocol using histotechnologist management theories and educational methodologies.
• Maintains guidelines and standard operating procedures, regulatory compliance, and quality control.
• Produces letters and documentation.

Requirements

Mastery Career Level

• Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

Education

• Required: Associate's degree in medical technology plus American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP) certification OR in related science plus 8 years.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in medical technology plus 3 years of applicable experience OR Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or related science plus 4 years of applicable experience.

Work Experience

• Previous experience conducting neurohistology and neuroimmunohistochemistry techniques on human tissue.

Licenses and Certificates

• Required: Histotechnologist (HTL) Certification Certified by ASCP as a Histotechnologist upon date of hire.

Intermediate Career Level

Education

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).

Licenses and Certificates

• Required: Certified Histotechnician Certified by ASCP upon date of hire.

Skills

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to build strong customer relationships

Physical Requirements

• The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate.
• The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively.
• The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts.
• The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

During the interview process, candidates will complete a hands-on assessment to demonstrate proficiency in key laboratory techniques.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)