Histology Technician

HCA Healthcare; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits and comprehensive lab

Wellbeing support

Paid time off and family leave

401(k) retirement plan with match

Tuition assistance

Fertility and family-building benefits

Job summary

HCA Healthcare Laboratory Services seeks a Histology Technician to meticulously prepare and process specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist. You will perform histology and cytology procedures, maintain equipment, and contribute to quality improvement initiatives within the lab.

The role involves working with pathologists and care teams to deliver accurate and timely results, ensuring QA/QC and assisting in accreditation inspections.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; associates preferred.
• 1 year experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred.
• HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure quality control and quality assurance in the lab.
• Prepares and processes specimens for histology and cytology.
• Assists in frozen section preparation when needed.
• Performs histology and cytology tests including staining and slide prep.
• Maintains equipment and performs preventive maintenance.
• Escalates unresolved issues to department leadership.

Skills

Histology techniques

Quality control

Instrument handling

Cytology procedures

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

ASCP Certifications

Tools

Histology equipment

Staining methods

Laboratory SOPs

Job description

Hourly Wage Estimate: $23.21 - $33.67 / hour

Learn More About The Benefits Offered For This Job. The estimate displayed represents the typical wage range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role. The typical candidate is hired below midpoint of the range.

Job Summary And Qualifications

Histology Technician / Histo Lab Tech / Histotechnician in HCA Healthcare Lab Service Line meticulously prepare and process specimens for microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist. This role involves performing histology and cytology procedures, maintaining equipment, ensuring quality control, and contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives within the laboratory. Histology technicians directly impact patient care through processing, sectioning, and staining tissue specimens working collaboratively with pathologists and the care team contributing to our commitment to providing accurate and timely results.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure quality control and quality assurance and participates in continuous quality improvement.
• Prepares and processes specimens for gross and microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist. May assist in the preparation of frozen sections of surgical specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist.
• Performs histology and cytology procedures including specimen processing/fixation, cell block preparation, embedding, microtomy, slide preparation, routine and special stains, case organization in accordance with department procedures.
• Assures positive sample, block and slide identification.
• Prepares and maintains solutions for routine stains and histology procedures. Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and instrumentation per manufacturer & department procedures and per department schedule.
• Utilizes problem-solving skills to ensure the accuracy of procedures performed and proper equipment performance. Troubleshoots to and takes appropriate corrective action to resolve and/or elevate issues in a timely manner for resolution.
• Adheres to department policy with regards to performance and documentation of quality control and quality assurance for instrumentation, equipment, and procedures performed. Identifies unacceptable results/outcomes, takes appropriate action, and escalates to department leadership when unable to resolve. Ensures that patient materials are not provided to a pathologist until the issue has been resolved.
• Supports the department in achieving goals for service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, a healthy work environment, and integration of intra- and inter-departmental activities.
• Acts as a resource to peers and customers. Models teamwork.
• Assists in the orientation, training, and competency documentation of department personnel as requested.
• Participates in accreditation inspections.
• Performs duties of a Complex Specimen Processor as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of histology methods and their correlation to disease processes.
• Demonstrate the ability to meticulously follow directions and protocols for the proper fixation and routine staining of samples.
• Exhibit the capability to consistently prepare and produce specimen sections with appropriate slide orientation, thickness, and stain quality for microscopic diagnosis by a pathologist.
• Demonstrates good technique in the cutting, embedding, orientation, and staining of specimens.
• Possess a general understanding of laboratory accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Exhibit excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, setting a positive example for colleagues.
• Demonstrate the ability to assimilate and analyze information and recommend actions to be taken.
• Effective and proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to view work situations from a broad context understanding the interdependent nature of work processes. Considers the impact of decisions on other components of the organization.

Education & Experience

• 1 year experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred.
• High School Diploma required.
• Associate's Degree preferred.

Licenses, Certifications & Training

• State license where required (CA, FL, NV)
• HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn More About Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

HCA Healthcare Laboratory Services is a full-service provider of clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology services, providing hospitals, physicians, and clients with timely diagnostic information for patient care. Our infrastructure includes a fully automated esoteric core laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, a histology and microbiology operation in Largo, Florida, and a network of hospital-based rapid-response laboratories in four HCA Healthcare divisions in Florida. Our core laboratories support over 250 acute and rehab hospitals, physician practices, surgery centers, and commercial accounts.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.

HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.