Job Description

Histotechnologist
Laboratory

Reporting to the Histology Supervisor, the Histotechnologist, performs a variety of tasks within the histology department.

Responsibilities:

• Obtain and accession Histology specimens paying special attention to proper patient/specimen identification and ordering physician
• Set up Histology specimens for gross examination by a pathologist
• Grossing under the guidance of a pathologist
• 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
• Exchange Formalin cubes
• Prepare slides for microscopic examination paying particular attention to established guidelines
• Perform frozen sectioning (STAT) procedure as requested and stain touch preps
• Perform special staining procedures by manual or automated techniques
• Perform Immunohistochemical staining procedures using an automated stainer
• File tissue blocks and slides while maintaining them in a well organized, easily retrievable fashion
• Pull slides and blocks for review, sendout, or Tumor Board presentations
• Place slides onto trays in a complete and orderly fashion
• Assemble and fill in required paperwork/requisitions and send specimens to reference labs
• Deliver slides and reports to their proper destinations
• Order, receive, and put supplies away as required
• Embed tissues following established guidelines
• Pull blocks for special stains, recuts, or sendout as required
• Remove slides from stainers and load onto the coverslipper
• Take and record daily temperatures as scheduled
• Replenish paraffin in the embedding station
• Check main laboratory for specimens and transport to Histology/Cytology for processing
• Dispose of signed-out specimens at the appropriate time
• Remove completed slides from the Benchmark and Benchmark Ultra stainers and put away the reagents
• Perform routine equipment maintenance as required
• Assist as needed in gathering and compiling Q.I. statistics
• Maintain/clean equipment and document on logs
• Clean/disinfect the grossing areas as required
• General cleaning
• Perform other duties as requested
• Cut extra control slides as needed
• Initiate required repairs or maintenance by submitting appropriate work orders
• Troubleshoot staining and equipment issues as they arise
• Pull HPV’s and reprocess if necessary
• Morning stainer maintenance
• Make up IHC and special stain buffers
• Assist with CT biopsies as needed
• Assist with EBUS/EUS procedures as needed
• Wash staining dishes and replace reagents as scheduled
• Change reagents in the tissue processor as scheduled
• Restock assigned areas as needed
• Routine maintenance
• Empty Cytology waste container when scheduled as needed
• Perform pneumatic test and lubricate Thinprep instrument as scheduled
• Attend departmental meetings
• Complete WebEd courses and other required education
• Performs specimen tracer audits (bi-annually)
• Participate in annual competencies
• Fit Testing
• Participate in CAP Surveys

Requirements:

• Meet one of the following:
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree, AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician or Histotechnologist program within the last five years.
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, OR a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree.
  • Valid HT(ASCP) certification, AND a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree, AND successful completion of a 50 week U.S. military histotechnician training course within the last ten years.
• Valid Histotechnologist (HTL) certification or obtain HTL certification within 18 months of hire.
• Ability to operate various office equipment including EMR and PCs to efficiently complete position tasks.
• Advanced computer skills necessary
• Ability to work with basic tissue preparation, and must have a working knowledge of cutting and routine special staining technologies
• Demonstrates manual dexterity sufficient to work with small instruments and delicate equipment.

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.