Histology Technician

Histology Technician

Facility: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

Department: Histopathology (MG7518) (GH8088)

Shift: 03:00AM - 11:30AM

Location: Boston, MA

Oncall: No

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

· Summarize the nature and level of work performed.

· The Histology Specialist 1B reports to the Laboratory Supervisor.

· Under supervision of the Histology Supervisor or Senior Histology Specialist, performs routine lab functions to produce histologic preparations for examination by residents and staff pathologists.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation. Fixes tissues in appropriate fixatives; dehydrates with graded alcohols; clears with xylene; impregnates with paraffin wax using an automated tissue processor.

· Embedded specimens ensuring proper orientation. Produces 2–5-micron sections using a microtome and appropriate knives; floats sections on a water bath; collects sections on a glass slide; dries in a slide dryer for a specified time.

· Stains slides, with routine and special stains according to approved procedures to enhance certain tissue elements required for diagnosis. Coverslips and verifies stained slides. Examines slides with a microscope to ascertain that the results are satisfactory. Determines when prescribed techniques and apparatus should be modified to meet required quality standards.

· Prepares specimens for a rapid frozen section diagnosis using liquid nitrogen and a cryostat microtome. Cut and stain frozen sections using various stains including but not limited to H&E, Thionin Methylene Blue, Oil Red O etc.

· Shares responsibility for preparation of solutions and reagents in accordance with approved procedures. Maintains quality control records.

· Keeps accurate records of blocks and slides produced. Files tissue blocks using the automated archival system. Use LIS system to perform daily lab operations.

· Various other duties as assigned. Responsible for off-hours pager coverage on a rotating basis. Responsible for maintaining individual mandatory compliance training according to department deadlines.

· Responsible for inventory control, laboratory safety, equipment compliance including records, and error reduction initiatives. Uses other software systems to follow Standard Operating Procedures and daily workflow. Understands basic histology theory and educates other staff members a needed. Completion documentation as assigned and delegated. Various other duties as assigned.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

· Must be realistic, objective, measurable and related to essential functions of this job.

· Must be able to embed a wide variety of tissues correctly and accurately.

· Must follow minimum national cutting standards of 50 blocks per hour embedding and 30 slides per hour cutting. Must be able to cut artifact free four micrometer sections.

· Must be able to perform a high-quality manual H&E stain.

· Must be able to perform certain special stains i.e. (AFB, Alcian blue, Brown-Hopps, Congo red, Elastic, Iron, LHE, Mucicarmine, PAS with and without diastase, GMS and Trichrome)

· Must have the ability to follow established technical, safety and clerical procedures.

· Must have manual dexterity and motor coordination. Be attentive to detail and precise in performing technical tasks.

· Must possess fundamental knowledge of basic histo-technique to include fixation, decalcification, processing, embedding, microtomy, routine and special stains and frozen sections.

· Must have sound understanding of basic laboratory instrumentation to include pH meter, balances, hydrometers, microtomes, cryostats, cover slippers and tissue processors, etc.

· Must be able to prepare percent, molar and normal solutions and stains. Expected to follow Good Laboratory Practice.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable):

· At least 1 year of clinical laboratory experience is required.

· ASCP certification or equivalent is preferred.

Job Type: Contract

Salary: $50.00 - $55.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Histology Technician: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: On the road