24012 - Histology Technician

WVU Medicine; Weirton (WV); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

WMCH Weirton Medical Center in West Virginia seeks a Histotechnician to perform basic procedures for preparing specimens for microscopic analysis, following SOPs to ensure accurate results. The role supports patient care and requires at least one year of histopathology experience.

The selected candidate will work in a hospital laboratory, handling tissue processing, slide preparation, QC/QA, and training of junior staff as needed. 40-hour, day shift on site.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• One year of laboratory experience in histopathology is required.

Responsibilities

• Performs accessioning and processing of specimens to meet department needs.
• Follows SOPs to produce accurate, reproducible results.
• Completes workload within established turnaround times.
• Operates basic lab equipment (cryostats, microtomes, staining, pH meters, balance, autoclave) following manufacturer instructions.
• Assists in training new staff as needed.
• Prepares tissues and produces microscopic slides using standard techniques to meet physicians’ requests.

Skills

Histology

ASCP Certification

Lab procedures

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Associate degree in Histotechnology or related field

HT Certification (ASCP)

Tools

Cryostat

Microtome

Slide Stainer

Autoclave

Job description

Performs basic laboratory procedures associated with the preparation of specimens for the anatomic study of their microscopic structure in support of the hospital’s mission of patient care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent.

PREFERREDQUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Associate degree in Histotechnology or related field.
2. Current Histotechnician (HT) Certification through (ASCP).

EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of laboratory experience in histopathology.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs in a timely manner, the basic procedures (e.g., specimen accessioning and processing, inventory, ordering) designed to meet the needs of the department in support of the hospital’s mission and goals.
2. Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to produce accurate reproducible results.
3. Completes assigned workload within established turnaround times by flexing organization of work according to requested ordering status (i.e., routine, STAT, ASAP).
4. Operates basic laboratory equipment/instruments (e.g. cryostats, microtomes, knife sharpeners, embedding centers, slide stainers, pH meters, balance and autoclave) consistent with manufacturer’s instruction manual. This includes performing quality assurance, quality control, routine equipment maintenance and troubleshooting procedures designed to meet the needs of the department in support of the hospital’s mission and goals.
5. Participates, as required, in the training of new employees, as established by laboratory policies.
6. May assist in Gross Room specimen accessioning and processing, frozen section production and providing instruction to others for frozen section slide production and staining.
7. Prepares tissue and produces microscopic slides using a wide variety of tissue techniques (i.e., fixation, embedding, sectioning and standard staining) in a timely manner to produce accurate reproducible results to meet the needs of patients as requested by the physicians, in support of the hospital’s mission and goals.
8. Must demonstrate, after receiving instruction and training, knowledge of the patient care requirements for all age groups as required by the laboratory standard operating procedures.
9. Performs problem identification and subsequent appropriate problem resolution, (e.g., review of quality control records), in a timely manner.
10. Records all work, (e.g., blocks cut, special stains, slides, immunoperoxidase slides, frozen section slides, immunofluorescent slides, re-cut slides, autopsy and surgical slides, decals, conference, teaching and research), according to SOP. Completes all quality control documentation and records legibly and accurately (e.g., review of records, daily worksheets), according to SOP.
11. Completes assigned workload within established turnaround times by flexing organization of work according to need(s).
12. Maintains effective communication with laboratory sections, other hospital departments and public, as necessary to assure dissemination of information and the identification/resolution of problems to support the hospital’s mission of patient care.
13. Effectively communicates in a timely manner any unusual supply usage or critical supply levels to the supervisor to expedite ordering of required supplies for the continual service of patients.
14. Participates in the educational endeavors of the institution to meet the current and future needs in support of the department’s, hospital’s and the university’s goals and missions of teaching and research. Participates as required, in the education of medical students, residents, PA students, School of Medicine students, MLS and Histotechnology students and technicians.
15. Retains specimens for teaching and research (i.e., unique cases or aberrations), according to SOP, as monitored by supervision.
16. Prepares specimens for departmental and interdepartmental conferences, as required by physicians according to SOP.
17. Assists in various duties and responsibilities as needed which could include tasks in other Pathology areas.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Able to lift or push materials up to 40 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. May require unsupervised access to restricted areas that may contain medications, supplies and patient confidential information.
2. May require travel between facilities/buildings.
3. May be scheduled to work various shifts based on departmental needs.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company:

WMCH Weirton Medical Center

Cost Center:

112 WMCH Clinical Labs

Address:

651 Colliers Way

Weirton

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively “WVUHS”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.