Histology Technician

Histology Technician

Title: Histology Technician

Location: Chicago, IL (onsite)

Reports to: Senior Manager, Histology

Full-time 

Frontage Laboratories Inc. is an award winning, full-service, CRO/Contract Research Organization operating over 25 state-of-the-art laboratories across the US, Canada and China. Our core competencies include drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), safety and toxicology, bioanalytical services, chemistry and manufacturing controls for drug development, and core laboratory services for clinical trials.

Our Chicago, IL site provides toxicology testing and research laboratory services and specialized pre-clinical studies in support of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. 

Position/Job Summary: The Histology Technician will be responsible for day-to-day activities involving the collection and preparation of tissues for microscopic evaluation.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Perform necropsies of various lab animal species (mice, rats, dogs, rabbits, minipigs, nonhuman primates) and collect and verify tissues for future microscopic evaluation.
• Prepare slides of animal tissues by labeling, trimming, chemically treating (processing), embedding, cutting (sectioning), mounting, staining, and cover-slipping tissue sections for microscopic analysis by pathologists.
• Print individual animal paperwork for histology laboratory, prepare cassettes and slides for use in histology.
• Receive incoming specimens and verify accuracy of accompanying documentation (gross lesions, animal ID, study number, group number, etc.).
• Interest and/or experience with preparing immunohistochemistry slides.
• Interest and/or experience with preparing tissue slides stained with special stains (e.g., PAS, trichrome, GMS, etc.).
• Validation and verification of new instrumentation and histological methods.
• Maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for designated methods.
• Maintain a general working knowledge of FDA GLP regulations and applicable SOPs.
• Perform maintenance and quality control (QC) for all instrumentation and methods.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks (clean) and troubleshooting of histology equipment, including cassettes and slides printers, tissue processors, embedding stations, microtomes, stainers, and cover-slippers.
• Liaise with service engineers and instrument vendors.
• Adhere to safety and quality procedures, participate in Proficiency Testing, maintain competency on all instrumentation (six month and annual).
• Help foster audit and inspection readiness.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to establish and improve processes, efficiency, and employee engagement.

Education, Experience & Skills Required:

• Associate degree or equivalent experience (Bachelor’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience processing (trimming, embedding, sectioning, staining, etc.) tissues from GLP-compliant pre-clinical studies conducted in multiple species ranging from rodents to primates.
• Work experience in a pre-clinical CRO is preferred.
• Necropsy experienced is preferred.
• Good communication, problem-solving, and team-oriented skills.

Salary:  $24.00-$28.00/hour, depending upon experience.

Benefits:

• 401k Employer Match with immediate vesting
• Vision Insurance 
• Medical and Dental Insurance with multiple coverage options
• FSA (Medical, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability 
• Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Holidays and PTO 

Frontage Laboratories Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.