Histology Technician

Advocate Health Care; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a Histotechnician to prepare and process tissue specimens for testing, including paraffin embedding, sectioning, staining, and slide preparation. The role supports pathologists and laboratory operations in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include processing, QC documentation, and maintaining equipment, with emphasis on accuracy, safety, and adherence to accrediting standards. No experience required, advanced training in biology or related field preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of human anatomy.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to safely handle sharp instruments.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Able to problem solve.

Responsibilities

• Ensures specimens are accessioned, labeled, and suitable for testing.
• Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks and maintains filing for blocks and slides.
• Processes tissue to ensure preservation and infiltration by paraffin.
• Performs routine stains, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping and distribution of slides.
• Manages daily workflow for recuts, stains, control slides, and send-outs per protocols.
• Performs quality control and documents results under supervision.
• Maintains cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of equipment.
• Assists pathologists during frozen section procedures.
• Ensures compliance with accrediting agency standards.
• Provides assistance to pathologists, externs, and team members.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Detail orientation

Sharp instrument handling

Computer proficiency

Problem solving

Education

Advanced training in Biology or related field

Job description

• Ensures specimens are properly accessioned, labeled, and suitable for testing. Cuts quality tissue sections with proper thickness as determined by tissue type and places properly on glass slides.


• Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Maintains a filing system for paraffin tissue blocks, slides and wet tissue.


• Processes tissue using processors to ensure full preservation and infiltration by paraffin.


• Performs routine and special stains, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping, verification, and distribution of slides.


• Retrieves and prints computer logs. Manages daily workflow for recuts, special stains, immunohistochemistry, control slides, and send-outs according to established protocols.


• Performs and documents quality control. Evaluates quality control results and takes corrective action under the guidance of key operators, technical specialists or supervisor.


• Performs and documents cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of instruments and equipment.


• Assists pathologists during frozen section procedures.


• Ensures compliance with all accrediting agency standards.


• Provides assistance to pathologists, externs, and other team members.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensures specimens are properly accessioned, labeled, and suitable for testing. Cuts quality tissue sections with proper thickness as determined by tissue type and places properly on glass slides.


• Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Maintains a filing system for paraffin tissue blocks, slides and wet tissue.


• Processes tissue using processors to ensure full preservation and infiltration by paraffin.


• Performs routine and special stains, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping, verification, and distribution of slides.


• Retrieves and prints computer logs. Manages daily workflow for recuts, special stains, immunohistochemistry, control slides, and send-outs according to established protocols.


• Performs and documents quality control. Evaluates quality control results and takes corrective action under the guidance of key operators, technical specialists or supervisor.


• Performs and documents cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of instruments and equipment.


• Assists pathologists during frozen section procedures.


• Ensures compliance with all accrediting agency standards.


• Provides assistance to pathologists, externs, and other team members.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Histotechnician (HT) certification issued by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).

Education Required

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Biology or related field.

Experience Required

• No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Knowledge of human anatomy.


• Must be detail oriented and have good organizational and communication skills.


• Must know how to safely handle sharp instruments.


• Proficient computer skills.


• Must be able to problem solve.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Sits and stands the majority of the workday as well as walks, lifts, squats, bends and twists throughout.


• Frequently lifts up to 10 lbs. Will occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbs.


• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, radioactive and infectious agents.


• Will be exposed to human blood, body fluids and tissue.


• Must wear appropriate lab coat, gloves, gowns and eye and face protection as needed.


• Must be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.


• May require travel, therefore may be exposed to inclement weather and adverse road conditions.


• Good manual dexterity.


• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.