Histology Technician 1

Inova Health System; Annandale (VA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

5% retirement match starting day one

Education assistance up to $5,250/year

Student loan assistance up to $10,000

Mental health support sessions

Job summary

Inova Health System is seeking a Histology Technician 1 for its Annandale, VA site. The full-time day shift supports laser microdissection in a translational research lab, with comprehensive on-the-job training provided.

The role focuses on tissue morphology, H&E-stained slide review, specimen handling, and laser microdissection, guided by a pathologist. Inova offers extensive benefits and growth opportunities within a leading healthcare system.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year Histology Tech experience OR Inova Histology Trainee progression OR ASCP cert eligible.
• ASCP HT/HTL not required with 1 year experience; HT after program may be required after 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Cut, stain and prepare tissue samples for Pathologist review.
• Prioritize and complete testing procedures with accurate record-keeping.
• Follow SOPs for embedding; section paraffin blocks and produce quality slides.
• Communicate to maintain team knowledge and comply with regulatory standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Microscopy experience

Histology techniques

Tissue handling

H&E staining

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Inova Research Department is looking for a dedicatedHistology Technician 1 to join the team. This is a fulltime Day Shift: Monday to Friday (8:00am-4:30pm). Annadale, VA.

This position supports laser microdissection within a translational research laboratory. The role applies core histology knowledge, including tissue morphology, H&E-stained slide review, specimen handling, and evaluation of pathologist-designated tissue regions. Primary responsibilities include microscope-based review of tissue sections, isolation of selected cellular populations using laser microdissection technology, detailed specimen tracking, and completion of project-specific research workflows.

Prior laser microdissection experience is neither required nor expected. Comprehensive, competency-based, on-the-job training in laser microdissection techniques and laboratory workflows will be provided.

Inova is consistently ranked as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience. We are also proud to be consistently recognized as a top employer in both the D.C. metro area and the nation.

Featured Benefits:

• Committed to Team Member Health:offering medical, dental and vision coverage, and a robust team member wellness program.
• Retirement:Inova matches the first 5% of eligible contributions – starting on your first day.
• Tuition and Student Loan Assistance:offering up to $5,250 per year in education assistance and up to $10,000 for student loans.
• Mental Health Support:offering all Inova team members, their spouses/partners, and their children 25 mental health coaching or therapy sessions, per person, per year, at no cost.
• Work/Life Balance:offering paid time off, paid parental leave, flexible work schedules, and more!

Histology Technician 1 Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cutting, staining and preparing tissue samples for the Pathologist to review.
• Responsible for prioritizing/completing testing procedures in an accurate and timely manner while maintaining proper accurate records of all tests done in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations.
• Follows the standard operating procedures for embedding, to ensure quality of blocks and proceeding steps in the production of slides and utilizes a microtome to section paraffin blocks and consistently produce high quality slides for routine/special staining procedures is required.
• Communicates to maintain team knowledge, demonstrating knowledge of regulatory standards in order to satisfy compliance requirements and participating in professional growth opportunities to enhance personal, team and department development is appropriate and performs proper and timely specimen collection by confirming patient, collecting specimens in proper tubes, utilizing venipuncture/capillary techniques, and accurately labeling the specimens to ensure accurate patient results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education:High School diploma or equivalent.
• Experience:1 year Histology Tech experience OR Successful progression/productivity for 1 year in the Inova Histology Tech Trainee position OR Inova HT/HTL program graduate eligible for ASCP certification
• Certification:(Histotechnician)ASCP HT/HTL is not required with 1 year Histology Tech or Inova Histology Tech Trainee position experience. Exception: Inova HT/HTL program graduates are to obtain a minimum certification of ASCP HT after six months of completion of Inova Health System Histology program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of hands-on microscopy experience in an academic, clinical, research, pathology, biotechnology, or industrial laboratory setting.
• Experience working with tissue specimens, histology slides, H&E staining, tissue morphology, digital pathology, or image-guided tissue review.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy during prolonged microscope-based and repetitive fine-motor work.
• Experience maintaining detailed specimen records, Excel-based tracking tools, laboratory databases, and equipment or quality-control logs.
• Ability to follow written procedures, apply project-specific instructions consistently, and promptly communicate specimen or technical discrepancies.
• Ability to work independently following training while contributing effectively within a structured, collaborative research laboratory.
• Experience performing routine instrument quality control and basic troubleshooting .

About Us

We are Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every day, our 26,000+ team members provide world-class healthcare to the communities we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare safety, quality and patient experience. And from best-in-class facilities to professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova, we're constantly striving to be ever better — to shape a more compassionate future for healthcare.

Inova Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.