Histology Technician Job Description
Histology technician
provides standard hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections, myriad special histochemical stains, immunohistochemical staining using chromogenic and fluorescent dyes, and in situ hybridization.
Histology Technician Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective histology technician job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included histology technician job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Perform routine and special paraffin sections of surgical and autopsy tissue for microscopic examination in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
Prepare equipment for processing, embedding, cutting, complex staining, and mounting tissue
Perform muscle biopsies, nerve biopsies, histochemical and other histopathological laboratory tests and examinations to obtain data for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
Prepare equipment for processing, embedding, cutting, IHC and special staining, and mounting tissue
Assist with making work assignments, review the work of assigned employees and assist in the training of new personnel
Provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel as required
Performs histological preparation and procedures on tissue in order to aid cell pathology
Maintains logs and prepares regular and special reports on procedures for specific tissue
Trains other histology technicians on procedures and equipment
Perform routine and special paraffin sections of surgical and autopsy tissue for microscopic examination in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, including whole mount tissue histopathology preparation on prostate and eye specimens
Histology Technician Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Histology Technician
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: ASCP, HT, HHS, HTL, MLT, H.T, HTASCP, NCA, HLT
Education for Histology Technician
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the histology technician job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Associate and Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Education, Science, Chemistry, Technical, Associates, Biological Science, Medical, Technology, General Education
Skills for Histology Technician
Desired skills for histology technician include:
Chemistry to prepare
Computer applications
IHC and special staining techniques
Routine H&E
Special stains and immunohistochemistry
Titration of reagents
Instruments
Proper body mechanics
Safety measures and infection control
Section specific test methodology and instrumentation
Desired experience for histology technician includes:
Requires manual dexterity and visual acuity when handling specimens, slides and utilizing instrumentation
Ability to safely handle potentially infectious patient specimens, carcinogenic substances, odorous and other hazardous materials to which they may be exposed
Typical physical demands include ability to sit, stand or walk extensively
Registered HT (ASCP) or 2 years recent experience in a Histology Lab
Two years or more experience in a hospital based Histology Laboratory
Registered HT (ASCP) preferred
Histology Technician Examples
1
Histology Technician Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a histology technician. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for histology technician
- May cross-train in other areas of pathology and/or other laboratory departments (flow cytometry, clinical pathology, special pathology, bioanalytical, reproductive toxicology)
- This position is responsible for the performance of accurate and timely processing of patient specimens in the anatomic pathology department
- Processes fresh and fixed tissue specimens for surgical, autopsy, and investigative histopathology preparations under supervision
- Records daily, weekly, and monthly, all quality control and preventive maintenance activities
- Performs preventive maintenance activities as scheduled, documenting on appropriate logs
- Work at one of our facilities in New York City (Relocation assistance available for this job, pending completion of 6 months employment)
- Process fresh and fixed tissue specimens for surgical, anatomical, and investigative histology preparations under supervision
- Perform preventive maintenance activities as scheduled, documenting on appropriate logs
- Maintain neat and accurate documentation of data
- Prepares sections of human tissue for examination
Qualifications for histology technician
- Practices strict adherence to laboratory safety and infection control policies.*
- Processes tissue specimens for microscopic examination and diagnosis by using appropriate, predetermined methods for fixing, embedding, sectioning, staining and mounting.*
- Prepares tissues for gross examination
- Prepares reagents and stains to meet departmental quality standards.*
- Maintains accurate patient information, accession numbers and records on all surgical, autopsy and bone marrow specimens
- Maintains open communication with supervisor, pathologist and co-workers to ensure optimal operation of department
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Histology Technician Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of histology technician. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for histology technician
- Prepares slides of specimens to enhance visibility under microscope
- Prepares chemicals and stains for performing tests
- Understands and follows all laboratory accreditation standards, OSHA, EPA and CLIA standards
- Assist with laboratory slide preparation and delivery operations to limit disruption to workflow
- Collaborate professionally with the digital imaging implementation team to ensure success
- Confirm slides are scanned as complete cases
- Load prepared microscopic slides on to digital image scanner for pathologist review
- Perform quality assurance evaluation on scanned images
- Prepare and analyze data metrics related to imaging system reliability
- Serve as primary resource for equipment knowledge, troubleshooting and data information regarding imaging system
Qualifications for histology technician
- Maintains high level of proficiency and current knowledge through continuing education and other means
- Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (American Society of Clinical Pathology-ASCP), Histotechnician for histology-specific (HT) (ASCP) or military equivalent a plus
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant scientific discipline with 2 years’ experience in histology
- Experience with tissue processor (Tissue-TEK VIP), microtome, cryostat, autostainer (Leica and Ventana)
- Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques such as tissue trimming, embedding, processing, sectioning with microtome or cryostat, preparation of microscopic slides and histochemical staining
- One year previous medical record department related experience required
3
Histology Technician Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a histology technician. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for histology technician
- Process, and manage specimens sent to reference laboratories
- Performs routine histological procedures on tissue
- Performs routine histological preparation and procedures on tissue in order to aid cell pathology
- Performs, records, and interprets quality control data
- Assist with the Company’s Research & Development program
- Assist with the histology laboratory tasks, including the characterization of Tumorgrafts by tissue embedding, sectioning, H&E or IHC staining
- Follows laboratory standards for slide productions
- Specimen Accessioning--Surgical Pathology dissection assistance--Prepares specimens for processing—Routine staining and filing of slides and cassettes-- Rapid frozen section diagnosis-- Performs Special Stains
- Specimen Embedding and Microtomy
- Complies with JCAHO, CAP, and CLIA requirements
Qualifications for histology technician
- Knowledge of medical terminology, histology, anatomy and pathology
- Ability to understand, manipulate and verify data for accurate reports
- Ability to work in an environment with demanding rush deadlines and to concentrate under the pressure of time constraints
- HT(ASCP)or eligible
- Grossing experience preferred
- One year of clinical histology experience preferred
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Histology Technician Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of histology technician. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for histology technician
- EM Photography
- EM Reagent Preparation
- Prepares specimens for fixation, such as sputum's, bronchial specimens, CSF
- Works actively to instill and maintain cost prevention and cost containment
- Embedding
- Processes tissue and body fluid specimens for examination by pathologist
- Perform clerical duties of department
- Prepare tissues for microscopic analysis
- Cut, stain, mount, and study specimens of human tissue to provide data on functioning of tissues and organs, causes and/or progress of disease, following established standards and practices
- Accession clinical and research study patient samples into the Foundation Medicine LIMS
Qualifications for histology technician
- Two to three years’ previous experience in a histology lab
- Consistently demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to provide superior and culturally sensitive service to each other, to our members, and to purchasers, contracted providers, and vendors
- Associate Degree in Science and completion of a Histology Technician Program
- Minimum of one (1) year relevant histology experience and/or training in the past five (5) years OR Minimum of twelve (12) months training in an accepted Histotechnology program
- Knowledge of all aspects of Surgical Pathology
- Histology Technician Certification
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Histology Technician Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking to fill the role of histology technician. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for histology technician
- Correlates laboratory tests to disease processes and understands basic physiology required to recognize appropriate test selection
- Performs, reviews, and documents quality control according to established policies and procedures
- Performs staining and preparing of tissue in a manner that will aid in the diagnosis of certain disease states
- Communicates accurate information of test results to physicians and other health-care staff as appropriate
- Performs various clerical duties, such as filing blocks and slides
- Assists Pathologist in operation room with intraoperative consultations, with or without frozen section
- Perform some technical tasks (cover slipping of slide, embedding, cutting, processing, trimming )
- Coordination of laboratory activities
- Trimming-in biopsy and mail-in necropsy cases on a daily basis, and transporting the resultant cassettes to the histology laboratory for further processing
- Recording specific case information (number of tissues submitted, number of cassettes and tissues within the cassettes, drawings of samples as needed for clarification for the pathologists) on the submission form and daily case list
Qualifications for histology technician
- Use of both hand and use of fingers required
- Must be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
- High School Diploma or GED required Registered HT (ASCP) or 2 years recent experience in a Histology Lab
- High school graduate with College courses in basic science
- Minimum of one year work experience or equivalent is required
- Demonstrates effective communication, interpersonal skills, and organizational ability