Job Description

Histology Specialist

Laboratory

Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) is a leading, non-profit healthcare organization, passionately dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community. With a history dating back to 1898, LMHS remains a cornerstone of healthcare excellence, catering to the evolving needs of Licking County. Our cutting-edge facility provides a comprehensive spectrum of patient care services, from life-saving emergency medicine to the comforting embrace of home healthcare, with a unique range of specialized medical services, including cancer, heart health, maternity, and mental wellness.

When you join the LMHS team, you become a vital part of your local community Hospital. Working at LMHS is not just a job, it is a unique opportunity to directly impact the health and well-being of your friends, family, and neighbors. You will be providing care in a place in which you are personally connected, where the impact of your work extends beyond the Hospital doors and into the heart of our community. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures that every member of our community is served with respect and compassion. Join us in our mission – dedicated to patient safety, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, and with a passionate team of highly trained and compassionate individuals who strive to improve the health of the community.

Position Summary

Processes surgical and cytology specimens for pathological examination by preparing high-quality microscopic slides for pathologist review and diagnosis. Performs specimen grossing assistance, tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and coverslipping according to established laboratory procedures. Conducts routine maintenance and cleaning of histology equipment, supports efficient laboratory workflow, and ensures accurate specimen identification and handling. Maintains compliance with regulatory, quality, and safety standards while adhering to established laboratory protocols to support timely and accurate patient diagnoses.

Responsibilities

Daily Tasks:

• Obtain knowledge regarding Safety and Precautions when using Formalin in the Histology Laboratory
• Obtain and accession Histology specimens paying special attention to proper patient/specimen identification, ordering physician and assigning the correct Pathologist(s)
• Set up Histology specimens for gross examination by a Pathologist
• Assist Pathologist(s) with gross examination of Histology specimens
• Perform frozen sectioning (STAT) procedure as requested and stain touch preps
• Check main laboratory for specimens and transport to Histology/Cytology for processing
• Dispose of signed-out specimens at the appropriate time
• Clean/disinfect the grossing areas as required
• Take and record daily temperatures as scheduled
• Exchange Formalin cubes
• Load cassettes into baskets and start the tissue processor
• Accession and process Cytology GYN specimens paying special attention to proper patient/specimen identification and ordering physician
• Accession and process Cytology NGYN specimens paying special attention to proper patient/specimen identification and ordering physician
• Pull HPV’s and reprocess Pap specimens if necessary
• Assist with CT biopsies as needed
• Assist with EBUS/EUS procedures as needed
• Assist with MOHS procedures as needed
• Pull slides and blocks for review, send-out, or Tumor Board presentations
• Assemble and fill in required paperwork/requisitions and send specimens to reference labs
• Pull blocks for special stains, recuts, or send-out as required
• Order, receive, and put supplies away as required
• Embed tissues following established guidelines
• Replenish paraffin in the embedding station
• Prepare slides for microscopic examination paying particular attention to established guidelines
• Perform special staining procedures by manual or automated techniques
• Perform Immunohistochemical staining procedures using an automated stainer
• Remove slides from stainers and load onto the coverslipper
• Place slides onto trays in a complete and orderly fashion
• Deliver slides and reports to their proper destinations
• Remove completed slides from the Benchmark special stain and Benchmark Ultra stainers and put away the reagents
• Perform routine equipment maintenance as required
• Maintain/clean equipment and document on logs
• Cut extra control slides as needed
• Initiate required repairs or maintenance by submitting appropriate work orders
• Troubleshoot staining and equipment issues as they arise
• Assist as needed in gathering and compiling Q.I. statistics
• File tissue blocks and slides while maintaining them in a well-organized, easily retrievable fashion
• Make up IHC and special stain buffers
• Perform other duties as requested
• General cleaning

Weekly Tasks:

• Wash staining dishes and replace reagents as scheduled
• Change reagents in the tissue processor as scheduled
• Restock assigned areas as needed
• Routine maintenance
• Perform pneumatic test and lubricate Thinprep instrument as scheduled
• Empty Cytology waste containers as needed

Monthly Tasks:

• Attend departmental meetings

Annual Tasks:

• Complete WebEd courses and other required education
• Performs specimen tracer audits (bi-annually)
• Participate in annual competencies
• Fit Testing

Requirements

• The ability to read, write and comprehend instructions at a level generally acquired through a high school education plus some technical training acquired in one year of college or technical school.
• Must acquire adequate knowledge and skills through on-the-job training over a period of six months to perform at an acceptable level as a Histology Assistant.
• Some analytical ability required in situations where problems are not defined.
• Must possess inter-personal skills sufficient to provide or receive information from physicians, nursing personnel, and other laboratory personnel.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to provide care for a neo-natal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient population.
• LMH is accredited by DNV and TJC, and as such, may require specific annual education related to specialty certifications and standards.

Licking Memorial Health Systems is an equal opportunity employer and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. Licking Memorial Health Systems does not discriminate against applicants because of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical

history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors protected by law.