Pathology Technician I

Novant Health; Hardeeville (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Novant Health is seeking a pathology laboratory professional to process and prepare anatomic pathology specimens, including cytology, smears, and frozen sections, while meeting required turnaround times. You will assist with specimen collection procedures and maintain gross rooms, stain lines, supplies, and slide filing.

Key responsibilities include accurate specimen handling, documentation, data entry, and delivering excellent service to physicians and pathologists.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; 2-year degree preferred.
• Experience in pathology/cytology processing preferred.
• Proficient in medical terminology and lab safety.

Responsibilities

• Receive, verify, accession, and process patient specimens accurately. Ensure specimen integrity, resolve discrepancies, prepare specimens for testing or send-out, and transport specimens using appropriate safety protocols.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation, process test requisitions, perform order entry, document quality control and equipment maintenance activities, and ensure compliance with laboratory policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide exceptional customer service while communicating effectively with physicians, pathologists, laboratory staff, and other healthcare professionals. Process physician orders, retrieve patient information, and communicate test-related information to authorized personnel.
• Maintain inventory and restock laboratory supplies, organize work areas, handle chemicals and biohazardous materials safely, and support efficient daily laboratory operations.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory guidelines. Participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain inspection readiness.
• Participate in ongoing education and competency training to maintain technical knowledge and support departmental learning initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with laboratory team members to achieve departmental goals, prioritize workload, participate in staff meetings, and foster a professional, patient-focused work environment.
• Demonstrate the manual dexterity and motor skills necessary to safely handle, process, and transport laboratory specimens.

Skills

Specimen processing

Medical terminology

Quality assurance

Communication

Independent work

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Chemistry/Biology or related

Job description

What We Offer

Responsible for processing and preparing anatomic pathology specimens, including cytology, touch preps, smears, and frozen sections within required turnaround times; supporting specimen collection procedures such as fine needle aspirations and bone marrow collections; maintaining gross rooms, stain lines, supplies, and accurate slide filing; following laboratory policies to ensure quality, accuracy, and efficiency; assisting with autopsies and tissue preparation for diagnostic and teaching purposes; providing frozen section support at community hospitals; and participating in rotating weekend and holiday on-call coverage.

• Shift / Schedule: Mon-Fri 9a-5:30PM

What You'll Do

• Specimen Processing: Receive, verify, accession, and process patient specimens accurately. Ensure specimen integrity, resolve discrepancies, prepare specimens for testing or send-out, and transport specimens using appropriate safety protocols.
• Documentation & Data Entry: Maintain accurate laboratory documentation, process test requisitions, perform order entry, document quality control and equipment maintenance activities, and ensure compliance with laboratory policies and regulatory requirements.
• Customer Service & Communication: Provide exceptional customer service while communicating effectively with physicians, pathologists, laboratory staff, and other healthcare professionals. Process physician orders, retrieve patient information, and communicate test-related information to authorized personnel.
• Laboratory Operations: Maintain inventory and restock laboratory supplies, organize work areas, handle chemicals and biohazardous materials safely, and support efficient daily laboratory operations.
• Quality & Compliance: Adhere to all laboratory safety standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory guidelines. Participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain inspection readiness.
• Training & Professional Development: Participate in ongoing education and competency training to maintain technical knowledge and support departmental learning initiatives.
• Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with laboratory team members to achieve departmental goals, prioritize workload, participate in staff meetings, and foster a professional, patient-focused work environment.
• Physical Requirements: Demonstrate the manual dexterity and motor skills necessary to safely handle, process, and transport laboratory specimens.

What We're Looking For

• Education: High School Diploma or GED, required. 2 Year / Associate Degree, preferred. Chemical, Physical or Biological Science.
• Experience: One year of relevant pathology and/or cytology specimen processing experience, preferred.
• Additional Skills (required): Knowledge of current medical terminology to perform full range of laboratory tasks. Knowledge of medical terminology to communicate with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results. Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations. Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff and the public. Ability to follow written protocols. Ability to follow written protocols.Ability to work independently.Ability to communicate clearly.

Why Choose Novant Health?

At Novant Health, we believe remarkable care starts with compassion for our patients, our communities, and each other. We value belonging, courage, personal growth, and teamwork, creating a space where everyone is respected, supported, and safe to show up as their full selves.