The Histology Technologist is responsible for the performance of clinical testing of human tissue sections. This will include pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical duties as described in the following section for this facility. Established protocols and procedures of this facility must be followed to ensure quality patient care. The Histology Technologist is under the supervision of the Laboratory Supervisor who works closely with the Laboratory Director and will report to this person. Competency evaluations shall be performed by the Laboratory Supervisor.

Pre-Analytic

• Reads procedures fully before performing any tasks. Required training must be completed before attempting any procedure or protocol.
• Ensures the confidentiality of all patient information throughout all phases of laboratory testing. The privacy of each patient must be maintained by preventing all confidential information from being seen or heard by unauthorized persons, including other patients, visitors to the facility, and any unauthorized party outside of this facility.
• Ensures that all orders received by physicians are documented.
• The patient is to be positively identified before collection and the specimen is to be fully labeled, following established protocol.
• Receipt of specimens collected by others (patients, physicians, and nurses): Ensures the specimens are fully labeled, are collected in the proper containers, and are of adequate amount to perform testing. Ensures that the specimen is in the bottle before opening the specimen container. Each of these specimens must be matched to a physician’s orders.
• Audits insurance on each specimen to ensure that the specimen is being routed to the appropriate lab.
• Processes specimens for referral testing following established protocol for the position of Histology Technologist. Takes care to ensure all essential information is submitted to the referral laboratory, and that the specimens are packaged and stored correctly prior to courier pick up or mailing.

Analytic

• Understands how to start and perform routine maintenance on the tissue processor, including changing reagents weekly.
• Embeds tissue samples as per protocol. Performs routine maintenance of the embedding station including cleaning of excess wax and debris and refilling the wax reservoir as needed.
• Performs microtomy to an acceptable level and of high quality.
• Prints slide on an automated slide printer, including H&E, STAT slides, and Special Stains.
• Understands how to start and utilize Automated Stainer and performs routine maintenance; including changing reagent daily and bleaching stain line as needed.
• Performs IHC (Immunohistochemistry)
• Changes all solutions on IHC equipment.
• Keeps up with IHC inventory and reports to Laboratory Supervisor when reagents need to be ordered.
• Notifies Laboratory Supervisor when laboratory-positive controls need to be purchased/received and validated.
• Performs gross dissection on tissue samples for processing per protocol.
• Understands how to properly aggregate slides and reports to be sent over to the pathologist, including H&E slides, STAT cases, IHC, re-cuts, DIF cases, and special stains.
• Inventory control: Maintains an adequate supply of all reagents and consumables to perform quality testing. Maintains records of purchasing orders and receipts, dates reagents, and supplies when received and when opened. Monitors inventory for expiration dates and orders as necessary.
• Performs all routine daily, weekly, monthly, and periodic maintenance including function checks following established protocol. Documents all maintenance performed on instrument log sheets.
• Performs quality control as established by this laboratory. If quality control fails, follow established protocol for repeating controls, or troubleshooting problems. Documents failures and corrective actions by entering electronically into the LIS or by logging manually. Report any unresolved failures to the Laboratory Supervisor and/or the Laboratory Director. Do not perform or report patient testing until quality control failures are resolved.
• Is able to identify problems that may adversely affect patient test results. Is able to apply corrective action or to notify the Laboratory Supervisor or Laboratory Director of the problems. Documents these activities.
• Retains records of all analytical activities performed for a minimum of two years. (This includes inventory control, maintenance, calibration, and verification, quality control, proficiency testing records, and any instrument printouts. Electronic storage should be periodically monitored for completeness).

Post-Analytic:

• Performs Data Entry.
• Patient test results will be reported out either by electronic transmission from interfaced instruments or by manual entry onto a report form. Verify test results are accurate before releasing reports.
• Correct any detected errors in reports by following the established protocol. Retain copies of erroneous and corrected reports for review.
• Performs all quality assessment activities assigned to this position and documents these activities for periodic review by the Laboratory Supervisor and/or the Laboratory Director. Retain these records for a minimum of two years.
• Record any complaints, incidents, or communication breakdowns. These records should be given to the Laboratory Supervisor or Laboratory Director for review and corrective action documentation.
• Retain records of all patient reports, errors, notifications, and corrective actions for a minimum of two years and make them available for inspection.
• Handles requests for slide/block send-outs per protocol.
• Correct any detected errors in reports by following the established protocol.
• Perform all quality assessment activities assigned to this position and document these activities for periodic review by the Laboratory Supervisor and/or Laboratory Director. Retain these records for a minimum of two years.
• Record any complaints, incidents, or communication breakdowns. These records should be given to the Laboratory Supervisor or Laboratory Director for review and corrective action documentation.
• Retain records of all patient reports, errors, notifications, and corrective actions for a minimum of two years and make them available for inspection.
• Handles requests for slide/block send-outs per protocol.

Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of modern laboratory techniques and procedures; good knowledge of histologic techniques; good knowledge of related laboratory terminology.
• Skill in the operation of standard laboratory equipment and apparatus; ability to understand and follow complex technical instruction ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Knowledge of CLIA regulations regarding proficiency testing, quality assurance, and quality control. Knowledge of laboratory policies, procedures, protocols, equipment, and testing to monitor control checks.
• Communication Proficiency.
• Ethical Conduct.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Strategic Thinking.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits:

• 
  Medical, Dental, and Vision available after 30 days of hire
• Short-term disability and life insurance, and many ancillary options.
• 401k available after 90 days of hire
• Excellent growth and advancement opportunities

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• Full-Time
• Monday – Friday

QUALIFICATIONS

Education - This position requires completion of at least a High School Degree or equivalent, successful completion of a NAACLS-approved Histology Program, ASCP Certification, and Histology License in the State of Florida.

Experience – 3 – 5 years of Histology Experience is preferred.

Communication – Excellent oral communication skills; ability to communicate

Work Style - Must be able to work well independently but ask for help when needed. Ability to analyze and interpret information, ability to interact and decipher information telephonically and electronically.

Work Environment - This job operates in a clinical laboratory setting. This role routinely uses standard office and laboratory equipment such as computers, scanners, forceps, rulers, tissue dyes, scalpel or razor blades, microtomes, cryostats, water baths, slide racks, tissue processors, drying ovens, automatic strainers, cover slippers, and personal protective equipment. This position may be exposed them to communicable diseases, toxic substances, bloodborne pathogens, chemical hazards, and sharp instruments.