Histology Specialist, Dermatopathology

The Histology Specialist 1B plays a crucial role in the efficient functioning of the Dermatopathology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. Reporting to the Laboratory Supervisor, this position performs technical functions to produce high-quality histologic preparations for examination by staff pathologists.

• Fix tissues in appropriate fixatives, dehydrate with graded alcohols, clear with xylene, and impregnate with paraffin wax using an automated tissue processor.
• Embed specimens, ensuring proper orientation, and produce 5-micron sections using a microtome and appropriate knives.
• Stain slides with routine and special stains according to approved procedures to enhance certain tissue elements required for diagnosis.
• Examine slides with a microscope to ensure satisfactory results and verify all blocks and slides are clerically correct.
• Assemble and collate slides, distribute them to staff pathologists, and determine when prescribed techniques and apparatus should be modified to meet required quality and turn-around standards.
• Prepare slide send-outs using COPATH and adhere to all specimen tracking policies and procedures.
• Assist with lab maintenance, including cleaning, restocking, and specimen discarding, as well as special projects and weekly/monthly maintenance reports.

• Must be able to correctly and accurately embed a wide variety of tissues while maintaining minimum national cutting standards of 50 blocks per hour.
• Must be able to perform a high-quality manual H&E stain and perform certain special stains.
• Must have a sound understanding of basic laboratory instrumentation and be able to prepare percent, molar, and normal solutions and stains.
• Must have manual dexterity and motor coordination to follow established technical, safety, and clerical procedures.
• Must have a thorough understanding of standard precautions, chemical hygiene, and laboratory safety.

• Associate or Baccalaureate degree in science with 24 credits of science preferred (Chemistry and Biology based).
• Two years of college-level courses in Biology/Chemistry or related science to include 24 credits of relevant science coursework.
• Graduate of NCCALS-approved school of Histotechnology preferred.
• 5 years of clinical experience or 4-5 years of histology experience in a research setting or Histology Specialist A.

• HT, HTL (ASCP) or eligible.

The Histology Specialist 1B will work in a laboratory environment, which may expose them to disease-bearing specimens, hazardous chemicals or fumes, and other hazards normally associated with a clinical laboratory setting.