Histology Technician - PRN

TCH Medical Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

TCH Medical Center in Houston, TX is seeking a Histology Technician to perform routine, stat and complex histology and cytology procedures for use by Pathologists.

The ideal candidate has an ASCP certification (HT or HTL) and an Associate degree in Histology, with 3 years' lab experience preferred. The role requires accurate workups, sample handling, and adherence to turnaround times.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Histology required.
• HT-ASCP or HTL-ASCP certification required.
• 3 years' histology lab experience preferred.
• Experience with embedding, sectioning, and special stains preferred.

Responsibilities

• Validates specimen ID and prioritizes workload per protocols.
• Embeds tissues and sections at required block counts.
• Assists with biopsies and retrieves specimens in multiple labs.
• Performs routine and special stains on tissue sections.
• Performs frozen sections and related staining procedures.
• Maintains QC procedures and documents in logs.
• Enters patient data and orders specimens in CoPath.
• Maintains and calibrates lab instruments regularly.

Skills

Histology

Paraffin processing

Frozen sections

Staining techniques

CoPath familiarity

Microtomy

QC procedures

Tissue embedding

Education

Associate degree Histology

HT-ASCP certification

HTL-ASCP certification

Tools

CoPath system

Automated stainer

Cryostat

Job description

We are searching for a Histology Technician -- someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position, you will perform routine, stat and complex histology and cytology procedures and work ups for use by Pathologists in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Think you've got what it takes?

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in science of Histology required
• HT-ASCP certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology required OR
• HTL-ASCP certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology required
• 3 years' experience in a Histology Laboratory preferred
• Processing, embedding, and sectioning paraffin blocks and frozen tissue experience preferred
• Performing Special Stains using an automated stainer and by hand experience preferred
• Anatomic Pathology, Histology, other tissue lab experience preferred
• Electron Microscopy experience om a clinical setting preferred

Responsibilities

• Validates specimen identification and appropriateness of sample type and size and prioritizes workload according to handling protocols defined in section manuals within the established turnaround times
• Embeds tissues and sections at least 30 blocks/hour on the microtome to the correct thickness and makes the correct number of sections and slides for each specimen or block type
• Assists with liver biopsies, fine needle aspirations, and retrieves fresh specimens in the main lab, cryostat lab, NGI suite, CT suite, and Electron Microscopy
• Performs routine staining procedures, AFB, MSN, Gram, and Oro, on mounted tissue sections or body fluid preparations for the demonstration of specific tissue elements or microorganisms according to section procedures
• Performs frozen section and special stain procedures
• Performs trichrome, Steiners and immunofluorescence, and other special stains, producing high quality slides with minimal repeats in a timely manner
• Performs required quality control procedures according to the written guidelines in the section procedure manuals as documented on QC log sheets
• Enters information regarding patient records and accurately orders all specimens in the CoPath Anatomic Pathology Information System and in manual logs required by regulatory agencies
• Performs the daily, weekly, and monthly, maintenance and calibration procedures to ensure proper functioning of instruments
• Performs mandated reading assignments and reviews and signs off on procedure manuals, communication logs, and memorandum