Competency Based
Job Description
Position Title Histotechnician II
Reports to Lab Manager
FLSA Status Non-Exempt
Purpose: The Histotechnician II embeds, cuts, stains and mounts specimens of human tissue following established policies and procedures. Responsible for validity of test results, specimen handling and material filing, and maintenance of necessary department records and equipment maintenance.
Participates in all quality and operational functions required to meet regulatory compliance in the Histology Department.
General Requirements
Essential Duties
The competencies listed below are an overview of the essential duties required to be successful in the position. Note: The listed examples do not include all tasks which may be expected within this job description. Employees are expected to perform other duties as requested or assigned.
Essential Job Functions
Principal Accountabilities Prepares high-quality tissue slides according to procedures
- Maintains integrity of specimens throughout the histological process of routine, special stain, and immunoperoxidase staining using appropriate controls.
- Cut high quality 1-4 micron sections of small and difficult biopsy specimens
- Perform routine H&E stains and special stains
- Perform and understand quality control on sections and staining procedures to ensure a high-quality finished product
- Performs a variety of higher-level staining techniques for microscopic evaluation.
- Assist with training and competency assessment of staff
- Understands, performs and is able to troubleshoot immunohistochemical staining
- Orients and embeds various tissue types according to embedding procedures and instructions
- Performs routine maintenance per written laboratory protocols (embedding stations, microtomes, H&E stainers, cover slipper), including daily cleaning. Keeps appropriate records of all maintenance.
- Files and maintains all slides according to system protocols
- Maintain all lab areas in a clean, functional state
- Performs all quality controls and documents on proper logs.
- Reports and documents problems as they arise and takes corrective actions when required.
- Prints and completes worklists during shift
- Performs all quality controls and documents on proper logs.
- Reports and documents problems as they arise and takes corrective actions when required.
- Manages lab supplies and chemicals: Keeps appropriate inventory of all laboratory supplies. Stores all lab chemicals per written and legal protocols. Orders needed supplies in a timely fashion per department ordering protocols. Reviews expiration dates on a regular basis. Appropriately disposes of used/expired reagents, stains and other chemicals per written protocol.
- Handles all lab chemicals per protocol using appropriate protective equipment.
- Maintains all equipment and supplies for Histology, including all mechanical and electrical equipment; solutions and stains; and assures that each work area is properly supplied and clean and that all log forms get filled out and reviewed.
- Completes daily checklist by end of shift as assigned.
Functional Competency
- Works as a team player and takes initiative to complete unassigned tasks and assist others to complete work.
- Able to organize, prioritize specimens and tasks to produce a high- quality product in an efficient and timely manner
- Ability to follow procedures and orders.
- Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to details.
- Perform work accurately and in a timely manner.
- Knowledge of basic chemical reactions for appropriate staining of tissue and ability to troubleshoot staining issues.
- Follow all safety policies and regulations.
- Able to work overtime and other shifts as warranted by the department
- Conduct all communication in a positive, constructive and non- confrontational manner
- Able to work a fast paced, in high volume laboratory
- In addition to the principal accountabilities listed, employees working in this position are expected. to accept and perform other duties as requested.
Qualifications and Standards
Qualifications: experience working in a clinical lab or histology lab, good problem solving skills, verbal and written communication skills and ability to work under pressure
Education: High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) equivalent.
Licensure/Certifications: American Society of Clinical Pathology- HT(ASCP) or HTL(ASCP) preferred or equivalent experience.
Experience: Three to five (3-5) years of direct experience in a histopathology lab. experience in routine histologic procedures, including processing, embedding, microtomy, routine H&E staining and coverslipping.
Skills and Knowledge:
Knowledge of PowerPath or other AP software
Knowledge of Anatomy
Knowledge of proper embedment of tissue
Must have well developed organizational and planning sills, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Must be willing to work with hazardous chemicals, including formalin, alcohol and xylene.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Sitting
Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Amount of time entering on computer keyboard
Fine manipulation: able to manipulate objects while maintaining a grasp at all times
Repetitive use of hands
Maintaining concentration over time.
Initiating personal contact.
Focusing on multiple tasks simultaneously.
Responding to constructive criticism
The ability to comprehend and follow simple instructions.
The ability to perform simple and repetitive tasks.
The ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to a given workload,
The ability to perform complex or varied tasks.
The ability to relate to other people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
The ability to make generalizations, evaluations and decisions without immediate supervision.
The ability to accept and carry out responsibility for direction, control and planning.
The list of job accountabilities, competencies, skills and knowledge, and requirements is not comprehensive, but is merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (i.e., emergencies, staff changes, workload or technical development, or restructure).
Pay: $38.57 - $60.00 per hour
Expected hours: 4 – 24 per week
Medical specialties:
Schedule:
- 4 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Evenings as needed
- Evening shift
- Night shift
- On call
Work Location: In person