Histotechnician: Precision Tissue Processing & Staining

Northwestern Medicine; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Histotechnician for Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, IL. The role involves routine histology procedures, slide preparation, and communication with pathologists and residents to ensure accurate diagnoses.

The position requires an Associate degree with biology/chemistry coursework or 60 semester hours with relevant biology/chemistry credits, and the Histotechnician (HT) ASCP certification must be obtained within 1 year of hire.

Qualifications

• Associates degree (if hired after 1/19/2025) with biology/chemistry coursework or 60 semester hours with biology/chemistry to qualify for ASCP exam.
• Must obtain Histotechnician (HT) ASCP certification within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Performs cassette-log reconciliation and handles tissue processing equipment per SOP.
• Embeds tissues for histology and assesses processing adequacy.
• Maintains embedding logs, tracks specimens, and documents quality issues.
• Coordinates paraffin block reconciliation and prioritizes blocks per guidelines.
• Operates microtome and optimizes block orientation and knife settings for representative sections.
• Identifies acceptable vs. unacceptable sections and adjusts procedures to produce diagnostic slides.
• Documents all steps and results in lab information systems and cassettes/logs.
• Operates automated stainers and coverslippers; performs manual methods during downtimes.
• Performs special staining techniques and ensures controls yield acceptable results.
• Prepares sections and slides from frozen tissue; documents staining quality.
• May assist with gross examination and specimen selection when applicable.
• Uses dictation to document specimen descriptions per procedure.

Education

Histotechnician ASCP certification readiness

Job description

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Histotechnician for Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, IL. The role involves routine histology procedures, slide preparation, and communication with pathologists and residents to ensure accurate diagnoses.

The position requires an Associate degree with biology/chemistry coursework or 60 semester hours with relevant biology/chemistry credits, and the Histotechnician (HT) ASCP certification must be obtained within 1 year of hire.