Histology Technologist I

Kaiser Permanente; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente in Rockville, MD is seeking a Histology Technician to receive, prepare and process pathology specimens in compliance with standards and policies.

The role requires accurate identification, sample handling, and collaboration with surgical/pathology staff. Preference is given to candidates with IHC experience, gross dissection and dictation skills, and a bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 1 year of histology lab experience.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• ASCP histology certificate within 12 months of hire or Histologic Technologist certificate within 12 months.
• Preferred: gross dissection, dictation, IHC experience, and a bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical services for surgical pathology specimen preparation, including entry, identification, grossing, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and documentation.
• Performs ancillary analytical testing including histochemical and immunohistochemical staining.
• Assists with cutting and processing frozen section slides when needed.
• Troubleshoots assays and instrumentation; maintains QC and preventive maintenance of equipment.
• Manages materials including equipment selection, inventory, supplies, and reagents; assists in invoice reconciliation.
• Maintains filing systems for specimens, tissue blocks, slides, service records, and related documents.
• Performs chemical hazardous waste disposal according to Kaiser Permanente policies and guidelines.
• Clarifies and documents quality issues such as inadequate grossing or tissue handling concerns.
• Assists as needed by Anatomic Pathology Manager, Medical Director, and Laboratory Director.

Skills

Histology lab skills

Accurate specimen handling

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Histologic Technician Certificate (ASCP)

Histologic Technologist Certificate (ASCP)

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microtome

Histology Stainer

IHC instruments

Job description

Job Summary:

Receive, prepare and process pathology specimens, following approved standards, policies and procedures. The ability to retrieve, communicate or otherwise present information in a written, auditory, or visual fashion is essential. The ability to work well with others and coordinate efforts, the ability to accurately judge the need for consultation, and the ability to establish and maintain professional, cooperative relationships with surgical and pathology staff are essential.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Performs technical services and operations for the preparation of surgical pathology specimens which includes specimen entry ensuring accurate identification of these specimens, performing specimen handling protocols (grossing, processing, embedding, microtomy, and staining), and documentation of all related tasks.
• Performs ancillary analytical testing to include histochemical and immunohistochemical staining.
• Assists with cutting and processing frozen section slides whenever necessary.
• Troubleshoots assays and all related instrumentation. Maintains and revises as needed all related technical policies and procedures including instrument/equipment maintenance by maintaining equipment quality control and preventive maintenance.
• Performs material management functions including equipment justification/selection, inventory/supply coordination. Orders and maintains adequate and appropriate/cost-effective supplies and reagents for the service. Assists the Anatomic Pathology Manager, Business Manager, and/or Chief Financial Officer in the reconciliation and audit of invoices/bills as needed.
• Maintains service filing systems to include specimen, paraffin-blocked tissue(s), prepared slides, service records, and all related documents as established by the service.
• Performs chemical hazardous waste disposal according to current Kaiser Permanente operating policies and procedures in line with regulatory guidelines.
• Clarifies, resolves, and documents quality issues, including (but not limited to), inadequate grossing, incorrect tissue handling protocols, tissue block discordance, or other concerns regarding handling of a specimen.
• Assists in duties as deemed necessary by the Anatomic Pathology Manager, Medical Director, and/or Laboratory Director.

2 AM to 10:30 AM Monday to Friday

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of previous work experience in a histology laboratory.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Histologic Technician Certificate within 12 months of hire from American Society for Clinical Pathology OR Histologic Technologist Certificate within 12 months of hire from American Society for Clinical Pathology

Additional Requirements:

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications:

• Gross dissection and dictation experience preferred.
• IHC experience preferred.
• Baccalaureate degree preferred.