Histopathology Technologists

Overview

Chenega Tri-Services

Walter Reed Silver Springs, MD

The Histopathology Technician will provide all processing, embedding, sectioning and staining procedures related to histopathology specimen handling, to provide the best pathology materials for diagnosis.

Responsibilities

• Able to carryout all processing, embedding, sectioning and staining procedures related to histopathology specimen handling, to provide the best pathology materials for diagnosis.
• Operates, maintains, processors, embedding stations, automated stainers and cryostats used to prepare patient specimens for procedures requested by a pathologist.
• Performs microtomy and cryotomy and must maintain a skill level sufficient to cut section slides of high quality.
• Sets up technical procedures and other details necessary for processing frozen sections or touch preparations.
• Performs decalcification of all types of bone (dense cortical, bone, spongy cancellous bone and very small bone marrow biopsies) using various acids and acid/fixative combinations.
• Performs a full range of duties involved in special processing and stating of all tissue types including skin, bone, nerve, brain and lymph nodes.
• Performs a wide variety of special stains demonstrating microorganisms, anatomical characteristics, carbohydrate and amyloidal, pigments, minerals and cytoplasmic granules and enzyme histochemistry.
• Keeps accurate records of work output for collation of periodic reports, equipment maintenance QC logs and other logs/data that must be recorded.
• Files tissue blocks and slides.
• Sets up new filing system as needed.
• Repairs broken and damaged slides.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum ten (10) years in the preservation and fixation of the tissue specimens, processing, embedding, microtomy, and staining (including complex special stains and immunohistochemistry)

Preferred Qualifications

• Histopathology Technologist Certified Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to obtain a Histopathology Technologist Certification.
• Extensive Knowledge and skill in the applications and methods
• Knowledge of the theory of fixation, dehydration and infiltration
• of tissue samples.
• Possess skill and proficiency in performing all aspects of microtomy
• and slide preparation for routine histology, histochemistry, immunohistology and
• specimen sectioning and collection for genetic studies.
• Knowledge and experience in tissue orientation and embedding in paraffin wax and
• proper microtomy techniques of all tissue types including bone.
• Knowledge of the procedures used for the optimal sectioning of all tissue types.
• Knowledge acquired thorough experience, education and/or on-the-job training.
• Knowledge of tissue morphology to identify tissue type and to identify correct embedding, sectioning and staining reactions.
• Knowledge of basic teaching techniques to instruct and train other technicians assigned
• and assist residents in training.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of all specialized and general laboratory
• equipment used in the laboratory.
• Basic knowledge of computer use.

Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee may use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.