Histotechnologist 2 (H) at University of Miami, Florida

Histotechnologist 2 (H)

The Surgery department has an exciting opportunity for a Histotechnologist 2 (H) position. The incumbent acts as a laboratory professional who prepares tissues from surgical specimens for histology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. The incumbent utilizes laboratory and hospital systems to access data and perform other appropriate system functions. Additionally, this employee performs tissue processing and sectioning.

Core Job Functions

• Prepares tissue specimens for microscopic examinations and handles the more complex jobs involving immunohistochemistry for clinical patient diagnosis.
• Maintains and reviews quality control in assigned laboratory facilities.
• Determines the acceptability of testing results and instrument function.
• Maintains all equipment and places orders for reagents and materials.
• Maintains records of samples including sample accessioning and paraffin block and slide files.
• Follows specimen handling and processing procedures.
• Participates in the formulation and revision of departmental policies and procedures.
• Provides guidance and leadership to employees within assigned section.
• Makes recommendations for improvement of laboratory functions.
• Handles clinical and patient concerns in a confidential manner employing integrity and discretion.
• Identifies and resolves problems with equipment and specimen integrity.
• Examines slides under microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

• Associate's degree in relevant field.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification required.
• Florida Clinical Laboratory Technologist license required.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.

Department Specific Functions

• Verifies identification of surgical and research specimens and evaluates specimen acceptability, as outlined by the standard operating procedure (SOP), upon receipt.
• Maintains records of samples including LIS accessioning of clinical and research specimens when applicable and paraffin block and slide files.
• Performs tissue gross examination of surgical biopsy specimens and research specimens.
• Identifies glomeruli in fresh kidney specimens via use of stereoscope.
• Identifies morphology of non-human research specimens.
• Documents gross description of biopsy specimens received.
• Determines when fixation is appropriate for specimen processing as per the SOP.
• Ensures adequate fixation and selects the appropriate specimen processing schedule as determined by tissue size, tissue type, and the SOP.
• Performs tissue embedding with appropriate orientation.
• Performs paraffin microtomy and OCT cryotomy for slide preparation.
• Performs microtomy to create paraffin scrolls for molecular studies as per the SOP.
• Prepares solutions and reagents for special stain procedures.
• Performs manual and automated H&E stains on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue and frozen tissue.
• Verifies and/or validates control tissue used in histochemical/special stains.
• Perform all manual and automated histochemical/special stain procedures.
• Performs antibody serial dilutions and prepares solutions and reagents for IHC, Immunofluorescence (IF), and in-situ hybridization (ISH) procedures.
• Performs verification and validation of control tissues used in IHC and ISH procedures.
• Performs antibody optimization, validations, and lot-to-lot comparisons.
• Performs IHC and ISH procedures on the Leica BOND III and BOND MAX.
• Performs manual IF procedures on frozen tissues.
• Review stained slides with microscope and provide judgement of quality through control tissue comparison to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
• Submits prepared slides with all pertinent patient data to the pathologist for evaluation and sign-out.
• Uses professional judgment to accept quality of stain, reject unacceptable stains, and repeat the procedure as applicable.
• Troubleshoots to Identify problem(s) that might adversely affect test performance and determine the cause of errors.
• Process and embed specimens for electron microscopy.
• Performs high quality whole slide images using brightfield and fluorescence microscopy technique-based scanners.
• Meets Turn Around Time (TAT) for all tests assigned.
• Performs On-Call duties in the assigned area/rotation, responding promptly to any call-back situation.
• Participates in Proficiency testing, instrument verification, and method comparisons as assigned.
• Meets deadline for these other projects/assignments.
• Orients and trains employees on laboratory techniques and operations, as assigned.
• Provides technical assistance as needed.
• Maintains inventory of disposable supplies and reagents.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards university assets.

Department Specific Qualifications

• Associate's degree in relevant field required.
• Graduate of a NAACLS accredited histotechnology program required.

Certification and Licensing:

• Florida Clinical Laboratory Technologist license required.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification required.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years histology testing experience.
• Ability to perform troubleshooting and communicate with vendors.
• Ability to clearly communicate and coordinate with clients and pathologists.