Histology Technician/Full-Time/3rd Shift/Rosemont

Advocate Health Care; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a histology-focused technician to join the lab team in Des Plaines, IL. You will accession, label, and prepare tissue sections, embed specimens in paraffin blocks, and manage filing.

The role covers staining, immunohistochemistry, and slide preparation while ensuring quality control and safety. The position requires advanced training in a science-related field and no prior experience, with opportunities to work closely with pathologists and clinical staff in a

Qualifications

• Advanced training beyond high school in a science-related field.
• No prior experience required.
• Willingness to perform routine and specialized histology tasks.

Responsibilities

• Accession and label specimens and prepare tissue sections.
• Embed tissue in paraffin blocks and manage related filing.
• Process tissue to ensure complete paraffin infiltration.
• Perform routine and special stains, immunohistochemistry, and slide coverslipping.
• Retrieve and print computer logs; manage daily workflow for recuts and send-outs.
• Conduct quality control and take corrective actions under supervision.
• Clean, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instruments.
• Assist pathologists during frozen section procedures.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting standards.
• Provide assistance to pathologists and team members.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Detail oriented

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Safety with sharp instruments

Proficient computer skills

Problem solving

Education

Advanced training beyond high school in a science-related field

Tools

Paraffin processor

Paraffin embedding equipment

Staining instruments

Job description

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.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

• License/Registration/Certification Required: n/a
• Education Required: Advanced Training beyond High School in a science related field.
• Experience Required: No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, And 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.
• 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.