Tissue Trimming Lead

CBSET; Lexington, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSET is seeking a Tissue Trimming Lead to oversee post-fix tissue trimming and the daily handoff of materials from Necropsy to Histology. The role protects tissue identity and quality for Histology processing and pathology review, working closely with Necropsy, Histology, Pathology and other departments.

Salary range is $60,000 to $95,000 per year, with variations based on experience, education, and certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Advanced tissue trimming, necropsy, histology, pathology, veterinary, or laboratory specimen handling experience.
• Ability to lead daily work, train staff, follow SOPs/protocols, and maintain accurate controlled records.
• Manual dexterity and strong attention to orientation, labels, tissue adequacy, and tissue quality.
• Preferred: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Pathology, or related life science.
• Preference for GLP/CRO experience or lead/senior technician experience, cassette production, decalcification, radiography, or Histology handoff experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the trimming worklist, priority order, daily assignments, queue status, and escalation path.
• Trim or oversee trimming according to protocol, SOP, fixation status, orientation requirements, and downstream processing needs.
• Verify cassette/container labels, accession records, trimming notes, decalcification records, and tissue-exchange documentation.
• Coordinate handoff of trimmed tissues, cassettes, containers, exceptions, urgency notes, and retrim requests to Histology.
• Track retrims, missed tissues, special processing, radiography, photography, bagging, and rework follow-up.
• Assist in reviewing raw data and QA findings and prepare responses.
• Perform Necropsy Technician duties as assigned, including tissue trimming as primary responsibility.
• Review daily trimming queue with Necropsy and Histology partners to align priorities and study needs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Tissue trimming

Necropsy

Histology

Pathology

Veterinary

Lab handling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Animal Science/Pathology

Job description

LOCATION: Lexington, MA/moving to Waltham, MA Q3 2026 (on-site)

POSITION SUMMARY

CBSET is seeking a Tissue Trimming Lead to work as a Necropsy Technician with primary responsibility for post-fix tissue trimming and the daily handoff of materials from Necropsy to Histology. This is a lead technical role, not a people-manager role. The Tissue Trimming Lead protects tissue identity, quality, traceability, and readiness for Histology processing and pathology review. The role works professionally with Necropsy, Histology, Pathology, and other departments to align priorities, meet timelines, and support business growth.

Salary Range: $60,000 to $95,000/year. (Please note, salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and certifications.)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical:

• Own the trimming worklist, priority order, daily assignments, queue status, and escalation path.
• Trim or oversee trimming according to protocol, SOP, fixation status, orientation requirements, and downstream processing needs.
• Verify cassette/container labels, accession records, trimming notes, decalcification records, and tissue-exchange documentation.
• Coordinate handoff of trimmed tissues, cassettes, containers, exceptions, urgency notes, and retrim requests to Histology.
• Track retrims, missed tissues, special processing, radiography, photography, bagging, and rework follow-up.
• Assist in reviewing raw data and technical activities and preparing responses to Quality Assurance (QA) findings.
• Perform Necropsy Technician duties as assigned, including support for table readiness, specimen collection, labeling, and downstream handoffs, with tissue trimming as the primary responsibility.
• Review the daily trimming queue with Necropsy and Histology partners to align priorities, anticipated volume, special handling needs, and time-sensitive study requirements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Interpersonal:

• Communicate priorities, risks, and handoff requirements clearly and collaborate professionally across Pathology and related departments.

Technical Consultation & Capability Development:

• Provide role-specific input to study planning and workflow improvement; elevate technical or operational questions to the appropriate supervisor or functional leader.
• Train trimming staff and elevate fixation issues, tissue discrepancies, label errors, protocol conflicts, and insufficient material.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Advanced tissue trimming, necropsy, histology, pathology, veterinary, or laboratory specimen handling experience.
• Ability to lead daily work, train staff, follow SOPs/protocols, and maintain accurate controlled records.
• Manual dexterity and strong attention to orientation, labels, tissue adequacy, and tissue quality.

Preferred:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Pathology, or a related life science discipline preferred.
• GLP/CRO experience, prior lead/senior technician experience, cassette production, decalcification, radiography/Faxitron, tissue orientation, or Histology handoff experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to organize daily work, guide colleagues, and coordinate priorities without losing hands-on technical focus.
• Technical accuracy and attention to detail in a controlled laboratory environment.
• Clear communication and dependable collaboration across Pathology functions and departments.
• Strong organization, documentation discipline, and sound judgment when escalating risks or deviations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to perform laboratory procedures, which require talking, hearing, standing or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (Personal Protective Equipment) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to consistently lift and move at least 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Preclinical Pathology laboratories and related study-support areas.
• Animal facility and laboratories with moderate noise possible and exposure to hazardous/noxious devices (e.g., needles, scalpel blades, etc.) and chemicals (e.g., anesthetic gases, formalin, alcohols, xylenes, etc.).
• General office working conditions, with generally quiet noise conditions.

COMMENTS:

• May require occasional duties on weekends and/or holidays.
• May require occasional travel.
• The opportunity to contribute to the Pathology team and support CBSET’s growth and development.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their position. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.