Histotechnologist - Night Shift

MedStar Health’s Washington Hospital Center; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,237,000 - 185,421,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health’s Washington Hospital Center is seeking a Histology Technician to prepare routine H&E and special stains for microscopic diagnosis and to assist in the surgical pathology grossing area. You will participate in the general maintenance of the histopathology lab and ensure compliance with policies and standards.

Responsibilities include embedding, sectioning, staining, labeling, and quality control, while supporting safety, regulatory audits, and timely patient care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or closely related field required.
• 1–2 years of histology experience in a hospital clinical laboratory preferred.
• ASCP HTL certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare routine H&E and special stains for microscopic diagnosis.
• Assist in grossing area and maintain histopathology lab standards.
• Perform embedding, sectioning, staining, coverslipping, and labeling with quality control.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and safety procedures.

Skills

Histology experience

Laboratory knowledge

Patient safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science

Job description

About the Job

Working hours for this role is 12pm - 8:30am Monday - Friday.

General Summary of Position

The incumbent in this position prepares the routine H&E and special stains necessary for the microscopic diagnosis of surgical specimens assists in the surgical pathology grossing area and participates in the general maintenance of the histopathology lab. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and Georgetown University Hospital's philosophy policies procedures and standards.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Specimen Testing and Preparation - Performs the processing of surgical specimens for testing and examination including embedding sectioning staining coverslipping and labeling. Utilizes judgment and discretion in considering sample integrity process calibration reagent concentration and stability quality control relationship to unknown results evaluation of unexpected patient results and error identification. Obtains surgical specimens prepares frozen sections mixes fixatives decalcifiers and other solutions and labels cassettes.
• Performs routine H&E special stains and enzyme staining for review by the Pathologists for clinical diagnosis on surgical and cytological specimens including STAT biopsies i.e. heart kidney liver. Evaluates specimen integrity and acceptability for test performance; obtains specimens for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Accessions specimens received in the laboratory in the laboratory information system. Utilizes computer appropriately for quality control specimen inquiry and patient inquiry.
• Quality Control - Performs and documents quality control according to manufacture specifications laboratory specifications and/or regulatory specifications. Institutes corrective action and notifies supervisor of quality control problems. Reviews section SOP manual and ensures testing practices match SOP guidelines.
• Quality Assurance / Regulatory / Safety - Completes competency assessment within 90 days of hire and annually thereafter or as needed to meet all regulatory requirements. As needed assists supervisor with any regulatory requests and/or inspections. Works collectively with co-workers to ensure laboratory meets and exceeds all safety requirements including but not limited to maintaining temperature charts equipment logs control materials laboratory cleanliness and transportation of hazardous wastes to the department's pick-up area.
• Customer Service - Complies with department customer service standards (i.e. answering phone within 3 rings identifying self to caller or customer in person promptly attending to customer needs). Ensures that turnaround time standards are met within the lab section. Always maintains a positive image when interacting with others outside of the laboratory. Proactively provide assistance to the outside department when needed.
• Equipment Maintenance and Inventory - Maintains equipment logs and performs routine calibration and preventative maintenance on instruments and equipment in accordance with established guidelines. Proactively contacts vendor & supervisor when service is needed. Helps to maintain adequate stock of supplies as requested. Assists in the evaluation of new procedures and equipment as requested.
• Laboratory General - Maintains files for patient specimens (blocks slides) reports and other quality control materials as needed. Completes patient test billing as needed. Delivers surgical tissues stained slides and supplies as needed to/from Surgical Pathology MDL Labs Cytology Morgue and the Pathologists.
• Proactively reviews pending log to ensure patient care tests are not missed resulted correctly and meet turnaround time standards. Participates in continuing education. Provides training to others as assigned by the Laboratory Supervisor Laboratory Manager Administrative Director Laboratory Director or equivalent.
• Observes Joint Commission (JC) standards Patient Safety initiatives Patient Rights and HIPAA Privacy standards. Follows care documentation and cleanliness standards in the performance of job duties; Completes in-services and education on a timely basis; Completes continuing education requirements for recertification as required by certifying organizations (ASCP/NCA ABHI or local licensure).
• Is focused on patient safety during performance of duties and improves or makes corrections when safety issues arise; notifies department manager as required; Interacts with other team members both on the unit and in other units in an appropriate and proactive way to benefit the patient; Observes proper elevator etiquette and courtesy: smiles and speaks to patients and visitors does not discuss patient care and keeps voice low gives right-of-way to patients and visitors; Keeps all patient information strictly confidential; Never discusses patient information and hospital business in public areas; and Protects patient privacy in public areas. Adheres to all JC and GUH Patient Rights standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all inclusive.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or a closely related field, required.

Experience

• 1-2 years of histology experience in a hospital clinical laboratory, preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist HTL, preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to meet expectations relative to the purpose of the position and perform each essential function satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge skill education experience and/or ability required to perform this position successfully.
• Considerable and current knowledge of principles methods and techniques of clinical laboratory science.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge with accuracy in the completion of complex tests.
• Problem solving capability with the ability to assess accuracy of results.

This position has a hiring range of

USD $35.68 - USD $64.71 /Hr.