Tissue Technician

About the role

This role focuses on the gross examination, preparation, and processing of surgical tissue specimens to support accurate and timely pathological diagnosis. The Tissue Technician / Pathology Assistant will handle a high volume of cases daily, perform grossing and frozen sections, prepare slides for microscopic evaluation, and ensure precise specimen tracking and documentation within the laboratory information system.

Responsibilities

• Dissect and gross a wide variety of surgical specimens, including biopsies and complex cancer sections, following established pathology protocols.
• Inspect specimens visually, describe and measure tissue, apply inking when needed, and section tissue for further processing and diagnosis.
• Perform frozen section procedures as required to support rapid diagnostic needs.
• Scan slides into the computer system for accurate tracking and deliver slides with corresponding requisitions to pathologists.
• Prepare specimens for logging or transport, ensuring all materials are correctly labeled and documented.
• Set up and maintain the grossing area, ensuring it is clean, organized, and fully stocked with necessary supplies.
• Ensure proper specimen accessioning and labeling of all tissue samples, handling 100+ cases daily with a high degree of accuracy.
• Process paperwork related to accessioning and reporting, maintaining clear and complete records.
• Carry out specimen processing tasks related to phlebotomy and inpatient specimen handling as required by the laboratory.

Requirements

• Experience with tissue cutting in a hospital setting, with at least one year of relevant hands-on experience.
• Proficiency in grossing surgical specimens, including biopsies and complex cancer sections.
• Ability to perform frozen sections and prepare tissue for rapid diagnostic evaluation.
• Strong skills in specimen accessioning, labeling, and tracking for high-volume workflows (100+ cases daily).
• Competence in preparing slides for microscopic evaluation according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Experience in specimen processing within an inpatient or hospital laboratory environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, paperwork processing, and report handling.
• Able to perform high complexity gross tissue examinations when qualified.
• Effective communication skills for answering phones, directing calls, and interacting with pathology staff.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple cases, maintain logs, and meet courier pick-up schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree highly preferred over an associate’s degree.
• Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology is strongly preferred.
• Educational including at least 60 semester hours or equivalent, with 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses.
• Science coursework should include a minimum of 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours in any combination of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology.
• Experience with phlebotomy and inpatient specimen processing is beneficial.
• Able to work early morning shifts and adapt to schedule adjustments as needed.
• Commitment to following laboratory policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Interest in professional development and continuous learning supported by resources such as online training platforms and care roadmap programs.

Skills

• Experience with tissue cutting in a hospital setting.
• Proficiency in grossing surgical specimens, including biopsies and complex cancer sections.
• Ability to perform frozen sections and prepare tissue for rapid diagnostic evaluation.
• Strong skills in specimen accessioning, labeling, and tracking for high-volume workflows.
• Competence in preparing slides for microscopic evaluation according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Experience in specimen processing within an inpatient or hospital laboratory environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, paperwork processing, and report handling.
• Able to perform high complexity gross tissue examinations when qualified.
• Effective communication skills for answering phones, directing calls, and interacting with pathology staff.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple cases, maintain logs, and meet courier pick-up schedules.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $26.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Work Environment

This position is based in a pathology laboratory environment that supports high-volume surgical and biopsy specimen processing. The role follows a weekday schedule, Monday through Friday, currently from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the possibility of an earlier shift (approximately 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) when staffing changes occur. Work involves extended periods in the grossing area and at laboratory benches, handling tissue specimens, slides, and related materials, and using laboratory information systems for accessioning and tracking. The environment requires adherence to strict safety and quality standards, with routine laboratory maintenance and tissue disposal tasks. Team members wear scrubs as the standard dress code and collaborate closely with pathologists, pathology staff, and other laboratory personnel in a structured, process-driven setting.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Riverside,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 2026.