Histotechnician

Under the administrative guidance of the Supervisor, the Histology Technician assists the Clinical Pathologist with specimen grossing and fine needle aspirations. Additional responsibilities include embedding of tissue, microtomy, staining, equipment maintenance, cytology preparation and assisting the hospitalist with bone marrow procedures. Performs delegated histological procedures on body tissue, body fluids and bone marrow samples under the scrutiny of the Pathologist on-duty. Clerical duties include: specimen accessioning, specimen storage, report storage and clerical functions. Some support tasks will be required at times to support the Histology Section of laboratory operations and will include specimen collection, sample handling, send outs to reference labs, documentation of quality control, setting up autopsies and other common clerical duties. 

The Clinical Laboratory is a 24-hour/7-days a week operation, providing laboratory services to an inpatient and outpatient population of all ages. 

The major challenge in this position is to complete a one to two-year training program and qualify for licensure as a Specialty Technician – Histology by the State of Nevada. The Histology Technician will complete assigned work tasks, ensure proper specimen identification and data entry and assist the Clinical Pathologists when performing their primary functions in the Histology Section of the Laboratory. Any problems must be communicated to the Histology Supervisor Position and/or Pathologist(s) on duty. The areas of routine responsibility includes 1) assisting the Pathologist with specimen grossing and when performing clinical procedures on patients 2) receiving and logging specimens 3) specimen/record storage 4) delegated technical histology procedures 5) general clerical duties and 6) training clinical laboratory histology staff as assigned.

The incumbent must maintain technical knowledge and skills necessary to perform their daily work tasks. When performing clinical procedures, the incumbent must consider the age of the patient when assisting the pathologist. Must be able to communicate with a diverse patient population and their family when performing special procedures. Positive customer service behavior is expected at all times.

Must be knowledgeable of and observe all safety requirements in the laboratory and hospital. A comprehensive knowledge must be maintained in all procedures for which performance is required. 

Competency in work related skills must be demonstrated annually.

Accessions specimens in the appropriate Laboratory Information System(s) and accesses the Hospital Information System to collect clinical and demographic information as required by policies and procedures. Maintains corporate compliance by observing and enforcing the related policies and procedures with emphasis on confidentiality.

This position does provide direct patient care.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Name

Description

Education:

Associates degree or higher is preferred. Courses in anatomy/physiology, chemistry and biology are preferred. Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking English. 

Experience:

No previous experience required. Experience as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant in

Histology or a Clinical Laboratory Histology Technician is preferred.

License(s):

Requires a current or individual application of Nevada Laboratory licensure to be submitted to the State of Nevada within 30 days of hire.  (this does not need to be maintained once the individual has their Histology Technician licensure).

Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada license for Laboratory Assistant within 7 months of hire.

Requires the ability to obtain and maintain licensure as a Nevada Histologic Technician (NAC 652.437) within 30 months of employment.

National accreditation as a Histotechnician is preferred.

Certification(s):

None.

Computer / Typing:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.