Lead-Histology Lab Technician, Digital Pathology & Archive

St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 74,500,608 - 130,376,064; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a Lead-Histology Lab Technician to manage digital pathology, archive services, and inventory control.

You will ensure specimen traceability, image quality, and secure retention of materials to support patient care, research, and consultation. The role requires extensive histology experience, ASCP certification, and leadership to train team members while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with NAACLS approved histology training.
• Associate's degree preferred for advanced duties.
• ASCP-certified histology credentials are required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Digitize, track, and archive pathology slides and blocks with strict chain-of-custody.
• Maintain inventory accuracy and support diagnostic, research, and consultation activities.
• Perform histology support tasks including microtomy, processing, embedding and staining as needed.
• Ensure CAP, CLIA, HIPAA, DNV compliance and support inspections.

Skills

Histology expertise

Quality control

Team training

Crisis management

Education

High School Diploma/GED with NAACLS histology program

Associate's degree preferred

Job description

When you work at St. Jude, you'll join a highly-collaborative work culture that inspires you every day to be your best. With opportunities for learning and growth, you can shape a career path that is right for you while also enjoying all the benefits and stability of working for a world-class institution. This includes work-life balance with generous paid time-off and on-campus conveniences that make life a little easier. Join us and you'll quickly see why St. Jude is consistently ranked by our employees on Glassdoor as a "Best Place to Work."

This role is responsible for the digitization, tracking, retrieval, inventory management, and archival maintenance of pathology slides and tissue blocks. Ensures specimen traceability, image quality, accurate chain-of-custody documentation, and compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements while supporting diagnostic, research, and consultation activities.

Schedule is Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May occasionally cover on call for histology after hours, weekends and holidays. Flexibility for call-back as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital Pathology

• Prepare, scan, and verify pathology slides using whole-slide imaging systems.
• Perform image quality review and ensure accurate integration of digital images into pathology information systems.
• Troubleshoot routine scanner and software issues and coordinate service support as needed.

Archive & Inventory Management

• Track, retrieve, store, loan, return, and disposition pathology slides and tissue blocks throughout their lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, chain-of-custody documentation, and specimen traceability.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies involving archived materials and inventory records.

Archive Services

• Retrieve, distribute, and refile pathology materials to support patient care, consultation, research, education, and legal requests.
• Ensure timely return and secure storage of archived specimens and records.

Quality & Compliance

• Conduct inventory and archive audits to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain compliance with CAP, CLIA, HIPAA, DNV, retention requirements, and departmental procedures.
• Support inspections, accreditation activities, and documentation requirements.

Histology Support

• Perform microtomy of patient specimens and assist with routine histology operations as needed, including tissue processing, embedding, staining, special stains, and immunohistochemistry.
• Maintain quality control and instrument maintenance records.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• High School Diploma/GED with completion of a NAACLS approved Histology Technician or Histology Technologist training program or equivalent in concordance with current federal and state regulations required.
• Associate's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Eight (8) years of relevant experience.
• Six (6) years of experience required with Associate's degree.
• Proven performance in earlier role/ comparable role.
• Significant experience working with laboratory personnel, understanding and supporting complex lab needs preferred.
• Experience in assessing and addressing crisis/emergency lab situations through appropriate assistance preferred.
• Experience in training team members around lab procedures, safety, and compliance preferred.
• Proven performance in earlier role/ comparable role.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by Law:

• None

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only:

• (ASCP-HSTCH) or (ASCP-HSTGT) Certification as either a Histotechnician or Histotechnologist by the ASCP Board of Certification required
• (ASCP-QIHC) Qualification in Immunohistochemistry (QIHC) by the ASCP Board of Certification preferred

Schedule is Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May occasionally cover on call for histology after hours, weekends and holidays. Flexibility for call-back as needed.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $26.00 - $45.50 per hour for the role of Lead-Histology Lab Technician, Digital Pathology & Archive.

Explore our exceptional benefits!

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer