Digital Pathology Technician

TCWGlobal; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology company specializing in healthcare is seeking a candidate to manage digital pathology projects. The role involves overseeing the digitization of glass slides, managing lab workflows, and ensuring data traceability. Ideal candidates will have an educational background in histotechnology or a related field, experience with digital pathology systems, and strong collaboration skills. This position offers opportunities to work closely with external vendors and cross-functional teams to support project execution.

Qualifications

• Experience working with digital pathology or lab information systems.
• Hands-on experience with histology laboratory workflows.
• Experience managing and organizing tissue blocks and glass slides.

Responsibilities

• Manage slide digitization and quality control processes.
• Coordinate vendor communications and project timelines.
• Document and trace workflow stages for auditing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Collaboration across teams

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Histotechnology or related field

Tools

Whole-slide imaging systems

Digital slide scanners (e.g., Aperio, Leica, Hamamatsu)

Job description

In this role, you will support digital pathology and AI/ML development projects by managing histology assets, coordinating with external vendors, and ensuring on-demand slide digitization, documentation, and annotation workflows. You will play a critical role in maintaining the integrity, traceability, and accessibility of physical and digital pathology materials for AI healthcare product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Slide Digitization and Data Management
• Barcode and digitize glass slides using Aperio scanners in accordance with established digitization protocols. Perform quality control (QC) on scanned slides. Ensure accurate organization, storage, and maintenance of digitized images and all associated scan data and metadata.
• Physical Glass Slide Management
• Manage the physical inventory and location of glass slides. Track, package, and ship slides to external vendors for staining or other processing. Collaborate closely with vendors to ensure proper handling, storage, tracking, and accurate organization of associated documentation (e.g., receipts, tracking records, and metadata).
• Tissue Block Management
• Coordinate tissue block ordering, receipt, inventory tracking, and shipment to vendors for slide preparation. Ensure accurate chain‑of‑custody and documentation throughout the process.
• Vendor Coordination and Communication
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external vendors as needed for project execution. Manage vendor communications related to contracts, orders, deliverables, and timelines to ensure alignment with project milestones.
• Process Documentation and Traceability
• Document and track each stage of the workflow, including slide creation, staining, digitization, storage, and delivery. Ensure all processes adhere to defined protocols and that images and associated metadata are fully traceable and auditable.
• Annotation Workflow Management
• Coordinate annotation activities by managing annotator workload and schedules. Assign annotation tasks, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion in alignment with project goals.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams, including Pathology, Machine Learning, Data Science and QA, to align slide digitizing, image quality standards, and ground truth annotation.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Histotechnology, Biology, Medical Laboratory Science, Life Science related field.
• Experience working with digital pathology or lab information systems. Hands‑on experience with histology laboratory workflows.
• Experience digitizing/scanning glass slides using whole‑slide imaging systems. Hands‑on experience with digital slide scanners (e.g., Leica, Hamamatsu, Aperio), including basic imaging calibration and maintenance.
• Experience managing and organizing tissue blocks, glass slides, digitized slides, and associated metadata.
• Strong attention to details with the ability to follow and optimize standardized protocols.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across technical and non‑technical teams.

Bonus Skills

• Licensed Histology Technician. 1–3 years of experience working in a histology or pathology laboratory.
• Direct experience with tissue block processing and slide preparation. Knowledge of histological processes including sectioning, staining, and slide preparation.
• Experience in digital pathology workflows and image quality control for clinical or research applications.
• Strong understanding of how digital and histological artifacts are introduced during routine laboratory workflows (e.g., folds, chatter, scoring, Venetian blinds, excessive mounting media)
• Experience working in a regulated environment with exposure to CAP/CLIA or IVD workflows.