Day Shift
The Histotechnician prepares skin tissue specimens for microscopic examination by a dermatopathologist. This position performs tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, and staining while maintaining specimen identification, slide quality, and timely workflow. The Histotechnician follows laboratory procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements to support accurate patient diagnosis.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Verify specimen, cassette, and slide identification throughout the histology process; promptly report discrepancies.
- Process tissue specimens according to established procedures, including proper reagent selection and processing schedules.
- Embed skin biopsies and excisions with appropriate orientation to preserve tissue and demonstrate diagnostically important structures and margins.
- Perform microtomy to produce high-quality sections while minimizing tissue loss, folds, chatter, and other artifacts.
- Prepare routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides and assess staining and section quality before delivery to the pathologist.
- Prepare deeper levels, serial sections, recuts, and unstained slides as requested or required by laboratory protocols.
- Perform special stains and immunohistochemistry, as assigned, following documented procedures and quality control requirements.
- Recognize processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining problems; troubleshoot within the scope of training and escalate unresolved issues.
- Organize and prioritize work to support established turnaround times and urgent requests.
- Operate, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment; document maintenance, temperatures, reagent changes, and corrective actions.
- Monitor supplies and reagent expiration dates and communicate inventory needs.
- Maintain accurate records in the laboratory information system and required quality logs.
- Follow procedures for tissue preservation, block and slide storage, and retrieval.
- Follow chemical hygiene, infection prevention, patient privacy, and waste disposal procedures.
- Complete required training and competency assessments and participate in quality improvement activities.
- Communicate effectively with pathologists and laboratory staff regarding specimen issues and workflow needs.
- Assist with training new staff as assigned.
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