Histology Technician, Anatomic Pathology Department - Mid Shift

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Histology Technician in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory department. Here, you will perform routine and special microtomy of surgical and autopsy tissues and process slides for H&E, special and IHC staining.  Responsible for quality control, instrument maintenance, and method development to support a broad menu esoteric stains as required for definitive cancer diagnosis.  Work collaboratively with colleagues and participates in process improvement projects. This department is Anatomic Pathology Laboratory. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

 

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $5,000

 

In consultation with the Lab Supervisor and Chief Test Dev Histotech, is responsible for preparing and processing surgical, autopsy, and Outreach tissue specimens by routine histologic techniques to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.  

 

Essential Job Functions

• Ensures that specimens meet acceptance criteria and utilizes LIS and specimen tracking/documentation software to assure patient, label, and block identification and record deficiencies/quality concerns
• Performs daily and preventative maintenance of tissue processors, staining platforms, paraffin dispensers, embedding stations, water baths, microtomes, cryostats, freezers, refrigerators, microscopes, etc. as outlined in laboratory procedures and recommended by the manufacturer
• Prepares all tissues for microscopic study, including but not limited to: specimen receiving and verification, processing, embedding, microtomy (cutting), staining (H&E, special stains and IHC as appropriate), and coverslipping
• Performs processing/preparation techniques for muscle, sural nerve, and/or renal tissue. May assist in cutting/staining of frozen sections
• Owns process for “recut” logs: additional levels/deepers, special stains, IHC, molecular, etc
• Prepares routine, special stain, and IHC solutions following laboratory and safety procedures
• Reports all test results according to policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times, and follows appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes
• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, operation, safety and quality controls policies and procedures
• Works with peers to identify and resolve problems. Reports equipment or instrument malfunctions and documents appropriately
• Escalates serious or persistent issues to the supervisor
• Maintains section’s inventory
• Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through the accurate performance of routine and complex tests through the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic stages 
• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, results and other technical information
• Appropriately assists clinicians with requests and seeks out resources necessary when information is not available to answer questions
• Participates in peer interviews of other histotechnicians and histology assistants
• Assists in the training of peers and housestaff in the proficient and safe use of equipment in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
• Ensures completion of quality control, maintenance, and quality assurance documentation
• Participates in ongoing laboratory accreditation and inspection preparation
• Participates in review of laboratory policies and procedures, training and competency activities, and proficiency testing program
• Maintains pathology archives (pulling and filing blocks, slides, and frozen tissue samples
• Performs microscopic quality controls on tissue slides for quality of processing, cutting, staining, and coverslipping, as needed and investigates all steps when staining in not optimal
• Participates in educational and training activities to acquire new skills, maintain technical relevance and improve proficiency
• Perform testing as necessary

Required Qualifications

• Must satisfy CLIA ‘88 qualification requirements for testing personnel performing high complexity testing
• Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician or Histotechnologist program; and/or
• Associates degree in clinical laboratory science, life sciences, or related field from an accredited college or university
• At least one year of histology laboratory experience required
• Ability to write laboratory procedures and policies
• Knowledge and ability to use automated and conventional laboratory instrumen