Histology Assistant I

Thornton Tomasetti; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 21,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Histology Assistant I to support DNA extraction, IHC, and H&E staining within the Cancer Diagnostic Division. This role focuses on safety, quality, and learning across histology, pathology, and molecular lab tasks.

Schedule: Friday - Monday 11:00am – 9:30pm; as part of a fast-paced lab team, you will contribute to high‑quality patient care through meticulous work and collaboration.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Basic computer skills to include internet navigation and email usage.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the general upkeep of the laboratory, including inventory, supplies, equipment, cleaning glassware, and racks.
• Perform laboratory decontamination using appropriate materials.
• Maintain all histology equipment and corresponding documentation (QC worksheets, maintenance records).
• Track samples using LIMS and SOPs; prepare cases for microtomy and staining workflows.
• Label FFPE blocks and slides according to SOPs; enter orders into staining platform software.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

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 Phoenix, AZ location in the Cancer Diagnostic Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people. Our Point of Care diagnostic portfolio spans key health and therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, cardiometabolic, informatics, and toxicology. Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments, and informatics systems is often the first step in patient care decision-making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers. Our rapid diagnostics solutions are helping address some of the world’s greatest healthcare challenges. Our molecular division delivers best-in-class innovative testing solutions for people around the world to provide answers to life’s critical health decisions. We help people live full and healthy lives through our accessible, molecular-based solutions.

Position Overview

The Histology Assistant I is responsible for receiving the FFPE samples into the histology laboratory for preparation of DNA extraction, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and H&E staining. This position will adhere to all safety, quality controls and procedures, while learning and performing all functions of histology, pathology, and molecular aspects needed in the laboratory.

Schedule: Friday - Monday 11:00am – 9:30pm

Essential Duties Include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in the general upkeep of the laboratory; including, but not limited to, maintaining sufficient inventory of material, supplies, equipment, cleaning glassware, and racks.
• Perform laboratory decontamination using the appropriate materials.
• Perform basic preventative maintenance on equipment according to the manufacture specifications.
• Dispose of non-biohazard and biohazard waste.
• Re‑stock laboratory and distribute supplies to work areas.
• Track samples using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and excel spreadsheets by following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Scan H&E slides into the slide scanning system for pathologist review.
• File and store slides and FFPE tissue blocks.
• Assist with the initial quality review of incoming specimens.
• Label FFPE blocks, slides, and DNA tubes by following SOPs.
• Perform order entry from requisition form into staining platform software.
• Prepare cases for microtomy, selecting appropriate control slides for cases.
• Record all required temperatures in the lab and take corrective actions, as needed.
• Maintain all histology equipment and corresponding documentation; including but not limited to, QC worksheets, preventive maintenance records, and day to day maintenance.
• Apply and integrate feedback in a professional manner.
• Provide and receive open and regular feedback and adjust accordingly.
• Prioritize and drive results with a high emphasis on quality.
• Display ability to work as part of a team.
• Adapt to a fast‑paced environment.
• Apply strong communication skills with ability to maintain open communication with internal employees and management.
• Display high attention to detail with strong quality orientation.
• 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 nights and/or weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work seated for approximately 20% of a typical working day.
• Ability to work standing for approximately 80% 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 H&E and IHC stainers, microtomes, tissue water bath, embedding station, and cover slipper.
• 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.
• May use various chemicals to perform duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Basic computer skills to include internet navigation and email usage.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The base pay for this position is $14.85 – $29.65/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Operations Quality

DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics

LOCATION: United States > Phoenix : 445 North 5th St

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: No MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Awkward/forceful/repetitive (arms above shoulder, bent wrists), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Exposure to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit/16 degrees Celsius or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit/28 degrees Celsius on a regular basis, Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday), Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis, Routine work with chemicals, Work with human blood or other potentially infectious materials

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next-generation diagnostics, life-changing devices, science-based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.