Pathology Histotechnologist I/II/III (PRN)

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

This PRN Pathology Histotechnologist role performs tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and slide preparation for routine to complex specimens in support of pathologist review. Responsibilities include operating histology and IHC instruments and software, performing quality control, basic troubleshooting, maintaining laboratory equipment and work areas, managing specimens and records, and supporting laboratory operations in accordance with established protocols.

Previous experience with embedding and microtomy of biopsy specimens preferred.

Should be available to work the hours of 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM. 

This is a PRN position.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Participates in the day-to-day operations of the laboratory with regard to histology specimen processing. Processes and prepares patient tissue according to department procedures using technical knowledge. Supports continuous improvement of laboratory services to ensure high quality and timely pathology for quality diagnosis.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Performs tissue processing, embedding in paraffin, cutting, sectioning, and mounting on slides of routine to complex tissues (such as fatty tissues, poorly fixed tissues, etc.), following established departmental protocols, for interpretation by a pathologist.
2. Performs routine staining on various IHC platforms by following the established departmental protocols. Complies with all departmental SOPs and adheres to all rules and protocols.
3. Operates vendor software for IHC stainers and internal LIS and workflow software.
4. Performs QC for reagents and chemicals by using SOP¿s.
5. Performs slide QC on routine cases, such as colon and breast panels.
6. Performs basic troubleshooting of errors associated with instrument failures.
7. Maintains laboratory in a clean, functional state, as well as cleaning or performing scheduled equipment and instrument maintenance / calibration / certifications, as required.
8. Performs supportive duties, including slide consolidation, filling bulk fluids on IHC stainers, replenish instrument reagents, logging in cases for various departments, including chain of custody records, etc.
9. Helps maintain gross tissue storage area and assists in discarding tissue per established policy.
10. Helps maintain blocks and/or slides files.
11. Responds to emergency situations.
    Performs other job duties as assigned. 

Certification/Skills:

• Certified Histotechnologist (HTL(ASCP)) by American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) required

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Experience:

No Experience required. Previous experience in a laboratory setting preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.