Histology Technician, Anatomic Pathology Lab - Full-Time, Day Shift

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Histology Technician in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory. In this role, you will be responsible for preparing and processing surgical, autopsy, and Outreach tissue specimens by routine histologic techniques to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. This is the Anatomic Pathology Lab department. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $5,000

Essential Job Functions 

• Ensures that specimens meet acceptance criteria and utilizes LIS and specimen tracking/documentation software to assure patient, label, and block identification and record deficiencies/quality concerns.

• Performs daily and preventative maintenance of tissue processors, staining platforms, paraffin dispensers, embedding stations, water baths, microtomes, cryostats, freezers, refrigerators, microscopes, etc. as outlined in laboratory procedures and recommended by the manufacturer.

• Prepares all tissues for microscopic study, including but not limited to: specimen receiving and verification, processing, embedding, microtomy (cutting), staining (H&E, special stains and IHC as appropriate), and coverslipping.

• Performs processing/preparation techniques for muscle, sural nerve, and/or renal tissue. May assist in cutting/staining of frozen sections.

• Owns process for “recut” logs: additional levels/deepers, special stains, IHC, molecular, etc. 

• Prepares routine, special stain, and IHC solutions following laboratory and safety procedures.

• Reports all test results according to policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times, and follows appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes. 

• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, operation, safety and quality controls policies and procedures.

• Works with peers to identify and resolve problems. Reports equipment or instrument malfunctions and documents appropriately.

• Escalates serious or persistent issues to the supervisor.

• Maintains section’s inventory

• Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through the accurate performance of routine and complex tests through the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic stages. 

• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, results and other technical information. 

• Appropriately assists clinicians with requests and seeks out resources necessary when information is not available to answer questions.

• Participates in peer interviews of other histotechnicians and histology assistants

• Assists in the training of peers and housestaff in the proficient and safe use of equipment in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. 

• Ensures completion of quality control, maintenance, and quality assurance documentation.

• Participates in ongoing laboratory accreditation and inspection preparation.

• Participates in review of laboratory policies and procedures, training and competency activities, and proficiency testing program.

• Maintains pathology archives (pulling and filing blocks, slides, and frozen tissue samples

• Performs microscopic quality controls on tissue slides for quality of processing, cutting, staining, and coverslipping, as needed and investigates all steps when staining in not optimal.

• Participates in educational and training activities to acquire new skills, maintain technical relevance and improve proficiency.

• Perform testing as necessary.

Required Qualifications 

• At least one year of histology laboratory experience required.

• Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician or Histotechnologist program; and/or

• Associate’s degree in clinical laboratory science, life sciences, or related field from an accredited college or university

• Must satisfy CLIA ‘88 qualification requirements for testing personnel performing high complexity testing.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Certification (or eligibility) for Histotechnician (HT) through American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent is preferred.

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time/1.0 FTE
• Shift: Day Shift, 5:00am - 1:30pm Tuesday - Saturday
• Unit/Department: Anatomic Pathology Lab – Hyde Park
• CBA Code: Non-Union

5815 S Maryland Ave

UChicago Medicine Mitchell Hospital - Hyde Park is a six-story hospital at the heart of our historic Hyde Park campus.

An integral part of our academic medical center, the Bernard A. Mitchell Hospital is home to a variety of specialty care, including our post-natal mother-baby unit, advanced imaging services, physical therapy services, dialysis access center and in-patient units. Other amenities include wireless internet, a chapel, an on-site restaurant and a gift shop.