Biorepository Histotechnologist I

Abbott Laboratories; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Redwood City, CA, seeks a Biorepository Histotechnologist I to perform histology services in support of clinical trials and R&D. You will handle tissue processing, staining, and macro-dissection, while maintaining quality and regulatory standards.

You will collaborate with pathologists and cross-functional teams, manage inventory, and contribute to process improvements. The role emphasizes accuracy, communication, and learning new techniques in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in biology or related field; or high school diploma with 2 years histology experience.
• 2+ years in histology lab with competency in tissue cutting and routine staining.
• Demonstrated ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Receive sample shipments, perform accessioning workflows and quality assessments.
• Perform histology tasks: labeling, sectioning, mounting, staining, cover slipping.
• Macro-dissection of unstained tissue sections per pathologist markings.
• Maintain organized physical inventory of samples.
• Support digital pathology activities as needed.
• Assist in sample retrievals and send outs.
• Monitor and prioritize service requests and workflows.
• Collaborate with pathologists and cross-functional teams to meet timelines.
• Identify quality issues and communicate for resolution.
• Assist in equipment specification, installation and maintenance.
• Ensure lab supplies are organized and stocked.
• Contribute to SOP development and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide guidance to customers on histology and lab processes.
• Maintain service support metrics and professional communication.

Skills

Histology

Tissue sectioning

Staining

Quality control

Communication

Education

Associate's degree in biology

High school diploma + 2 years histology experience

Tools

Microscopes

Microtomes

Blades

Strainers

Pipettes

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Redwood City location in the Cancer Diagnostics Division.

As the Biorepository, Histotechnologist I, you'll be responsible for performing histology services and operational activities in support of clinical trials, research & development requests, process improvement studies, and other tissue-focused initiatives that fall outside the scope of the commercial laboratory space. This position requires strong communication, organizational, and technical skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment focused on the delivery of high-quality sample services.

Essential Duties Include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive sample shipments, make initial quality assessments, and complete accessioning workflows.
• Perform high-quality routine histology activities in accordance with established policies and procedures, including tissue slide labeling, sectioning, mounting, staining, and cover slipping.
• Perform macro-dissection of unstained tissue sections in accordance with markings provided by pathologists.
• Assist in maintaining a well-organized physical inventory of samples.
• Support digital pathology activities, as needed.
• Assist in sample retrievals and send outs.
• Monitor the team’s service request / workflow queue; prioritize and execute tasks independently or with minimal supervision to achieve deliverables.
• Collaborate with internal pathologists, supporting departments, cross-functional study team members, and external stakeholders to ensure sample requests / workflows are supported in a timely manner.
• Maintain stringent standards for quality, identify issues that might adversely impact sample quality and future test results, and promptly communicate issues to leadership as necessary for resolution.
• Assist in equipment specification, installation, and maintenance.
• Ensure lab supplies are well organized and appropriately stocked.
• Assist in workflow, protocol, and related SOP development.
• Assist in the identification of continuous improvement opportunities for Abbotts’ Biorepository and histopathology functions.
• Provide guidance and education to customers and stakeholders related to histology.
• Maintain and report out on service support metrics, as needed.
• Ability to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner.
• A passion to learn new techniques and grow professionally.
• Ability to prioritize and drive results with a high emphasis on quality.
• Apply strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and within a matrixed team environment.
• Apply strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain open communication with team members, cross-functional partners, and internal / external customers.
• Ability to multi-task and be flexible with tasks and schedules.
• Strong computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a customer service mindset.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work designated schedule.
• Ability to work overtime, as needed.
• Ability to work seated for approximately 75% of a typical working day. Ability to work standing for approximately 25% of a typical working day.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment; including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes for extended periods of time.
• May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
• Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
• Ability and means to travel between local Abbott locations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in biology, life sciences, or field as outlined in the essential duties, or high school diploma and 2 years of experience in histology in lieu of an Associate’s degree.
• 2+ years of experience in a histology laboratory with demonstrated competency in tissue cutting routine staining.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences or Life Sciences field.
• HT(ASCP) or HLT(ASCP) certification.
• Understanding of surgical pathology and tissue microanatomy.
• Previous experience in a clinical laboratory or biorepository setting processing and/or coordinating tissue samples.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

https://abbottbenefits.com/

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at abbott.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers.

The base pay for this position is $73,900.00 – $116,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.