Histotechnician I Austin, TX

Natera, Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Natera, Inc. is seeking a histology technician to perform tissue preparation for sequencing workflows in our Austin lab.

The role supports exome/genome sequencing, including tissue prep, slides, and macrodissection, with training and competency enabling independent testing and equipment prep. The candidate should hold an ASCP HT certification or higher, have 0-2 years histology experience, and pass background and privacy trainings within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications

• A copy of the degree is required at time of hire; degree from US or equivalent.
• HT (ASCP) certification required.
• 0-2 years of histology experience or training.
• Employee must pass post offer criminal background check.
• Employee must complete HIPAA/PHI/privacy training and general policies within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform histological preparations for tissue whole exome sequencing with accuracy.
• Prepare tissues, stained slides, and macrodissection as part of workflow.
• May independently perform testing and reagent/equipment prep after training.
• Participate in validations and reagent qualifications.
• Monitor case management to meet department TAT goals and resolve issues.
• Provide lab supervision and guidance to new team members as needed.

Skills

Team communication

Interpersonal skills

Positive attitude

Attention to detail

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Workflow understanding

Training ability

Education

ASCP HT certification

Associate degree in histology or related science

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/biology with required coursework

Job description

Perform histological preparations for Signatera Whole Exome/Genome Sequencing

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform histological preparations for the tissue whole exome sequencing laboratory with little to no errors
• Duties may include, but not limited to: preparation of tissues, stained slides, macrodissection, and supporting workflow tasks
• May independently perform testing, reagent, and equipment preparation after completion of training and competency.
• Participates in validations
• Performs qualifications of reagents
• Monitors and performs case management; ensures all cases are processed within department TAT goals and investigates sample processing issues
• Actively participate in EH&S initiatives such as safety audits
• Participates in updating and creating Standard Operating Procedures
• May serve as the general supervisor (Depending on education and years of experience) and perform competencies
• Has an understanding of equipment and process troubleshooting
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the established performance specifications as needed. Escalates protocol deviation to the supervisor
• Provides general oversight of personnel and the daily operations in the lab. Provides guidance to new team members

QUALIFICATIONS

• An associate's, or higher, degree in a histotechnician program
• OR
• An associate's degree, or higher, in one of the chemical or biological sciences AND
  • one year of experience and/or training in histology within the past 5 years OR
  • completion of a course of training of at least nine months in a histotechnician program
• OR
• A bachelor's, or higher, degree in one of the chemical or biological sciences, including a combination of thirty (30) hours in biology and chemistry; and either one of the following conditions:
• one year of experience and/or training in histology within the past 5 years OR
• completion of a course of training of at least nine months in a histotechnician program

A copy of the degree is required at the time of hire; the degree must either be from the US or equivalent to a US degree.

• HT (ASCP) required.
• 0-2 years of experience
• Employee must pass post offer criminal background check
• Employee must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training, and security training as soon as possible, but not later than the first 30 days of hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Communicating in a team setting
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills; both written and oral
• Positive attitude and ability to work well with others
• High level of attention to detail with strong organizational skills
• Proficient with Google Suites and Microsoft Office
• Thorough understanding of workflow
• Ability to train proficiently

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly
• This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone, and read printed material
• Repetitive hand motion may be necessary

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @ natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Natera’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.