Histology Technician

The Histology position will consider Technician and Technologist levels of the career ladder. The final title and pay will be determined by education, experience, and certification.

• Processes and prepares pathology specimens to produce quality diagnostic slides for examination by a pathologist.
• Competent in the performance of routine and special stains.
• Accessions and systematically organizes specimens to safeguard specimen identification and integrity.
• Prepares for and assists in the grossing of specimens with a pathologist.
• Readies the grossing area in an organized manner to assist the pathologist and efficiently prioritize workflow.
• Supplies materials to the pathologist as needed.
• Accurately documents specimens, blocks, and slides.
• Orders blocks, levels, frozen sections, path determinations, photos, flow cytometry tracking, touch preps, special stains, and special requests as needed.
• Cleans the grossing station and instruments when the pathologist is finished, maintaining the area in a safe and sanitary condition.
• Operates and maintains equipment in accordance with guidelines.
• Loads and starts processors at day's end, choosing the appropriate program for processing.
• Operates microtomes, cryostats, staining equipment, recycler, etc., as trained and according to guidelines.
• Performs routine, preventative, and corrective maintenance, resolving problems as they occur.
• Documents maintenance as performed; assists in keeping accurate records of preventative and corrective maintenance performed by outside vendors.
• Embeds, cuts, and performs routine stains on tissue sections.
• Demonstrates competency in performance of routine and special stains.
• Prepares slides for reading by pathologist.
• Coverslips slides using manual or automated methods.
• Labels slides accurately, ensuring positive patient identification with clear notation of slide source and stain procedure.
• Facilitates the distribution of slides between pathologists to provide timely progression of workflow.
• Performs and completes frozen sections.
• Produces quality frozen section slides with accurate identification of patient and source.
• Performs frozen section procedure and delivers slides to pathologist in a manner that allows for a 20-minute or less turnaround time.
• Documents receipt and delivery of the frozen section.
• Follows written protocols for cleaning, defrosting, and decontamination of the cryostats, documents in the QC manual.
• Participates in routine departmental tasks.
• Files slides and paraffin blocks accurately and independently.
• Restocks supplies as needed.
• Maintains adequate supplies of filled specimen containers.
• Makes reagents, filters stains according to established protocols.
• Performs supply inventory and places stock and non-stock orders as needed.
• Maintains skills in utilization of Pathology, LIS, and HIS computer system functions.
• Works with the pathology software on a daily basis for accessioning and documentation of specimens, pulling work lists, ordering slides, labels, etc.
• Uses the pathology software to document tracking issues, QA variances, etc.
• Monitors reports to track specimens and/or results as needed.
• Functions in an organized and independent manner, complying with policy and procedures to cooperatively enhance department operations.
• Cognitive of the importance of clear and concise communication between pathologists, histologists, manager, and medical secretaries.
• Handles requests from the pathologists in a timely manner.
• Recognizes areas for improvement in department operations, contributes to, and participates in quality management processes.
• Participates in section readiness to meet CAP, JCAHO, OSHA, and DOH compliance.
• Maintains competency in assigned areas, and completes assessments in a timely and independent manner.
• Participates in continuing education programs, staff meetings, etc., as appropriate.
• Functions as cytopreparatory tech for preparation of gyne and non-gyne thin prep specimens.

• High School Diploma or GED or higher level of education.
• Completion of the educational requirements needed to take the Histotechnician (HT) exam:
  • Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited HT program OR;
  • High School Diploma or GED and at least 60 semester hours of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 12 semester hours of biology and chemistry.
  • Bachelor of Science or Associate of Science with one (1) to two (2) years of histology experience.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Basic Math and Keyboard Proficiency.
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
• Problem solving involving several variables in or from standardized situations.
• Apply technical principles. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

• None preferred.

• Obtain HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification within fifteen (15) months of hire or transfer.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.
• Must complete HAZMAT training in 90 days.