Position Summary:
The Histotechnician I is responsible for preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examination by performing grossing, embedding, sectioning, and staining procedures. This role requires meticulous attention to quality and accuracy to ensure diagnostic reliability and compliance with laboratory protocols.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Specimen Preparation: Process tissue specimens through grossing, embedding, microtomy (cutting blocks), and staining (H&E, special stains, immunohistochemistry) according to established protocols and quality standards.
- Quality Assurance: Adhere to laboratory quality control procedures to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely specimen preparation.
- Equipment Maintenance: Maintain laboratory equipment in proper working condition. Monitor performance and promptly report any malfunctions or quality concerns to management.
- Process Improvement: Identify and communicate technical or workflow issues to enhance laboratory efficiency and effectiveness.
- Chemical Safety: Dispose of hazardous materials in accordance with regulatory requirements. (Limited function—restricted to designated, trained personnel.)
- Operational Support: Assist with additional laboratory duties as needed to support smooth operations.
- Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality of all patient data, procedures, and proprietary systems in accordance with company policies.
- Attendance: Demonstrate regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
- Other Duties: Perform other related duties as assigned by management.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Associate degree in chemical or biological science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.
- Alternatively, completion of 60 semester hours (or equivalent), including:
- 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, or
- 24 semester hours in science including at least 6 hours in chemistry, 6 hours in biology, and 12 additional hours in chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology.
- Minimum of one year of experience in an anatomic pathology laboratory preferred.
- Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
This role requires a proactive, dependable, and detail-oriented individual with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic healthcare environment. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to patient care and operational excellence.
Physical and Mental Demands:
The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those required to perform this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities:
- Physical Requirements:
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
- Use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms.
- Occasionally required to climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, or crawl.
- Occasionally lift, push, pull, or move up to 20 pounds.
- Vision Requirements:
- Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Note:
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role. Additional responsibilities may be assigned, or duties modified by the department supervisor based on operational needs.