Job Description
Are you passionate about the patient experience? At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to caring for patients with purpose and integrity. We care like family! Jump-start your career as a Histology Technician today with HCA Healthcare. Job Summary and Qualifications Histology Technician / Histo Lab Tech / Histotechnician in HCA Healthcare Lab Service Line meticulously prepare and process specimens for microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist. This role involves performing histology and cytology procedures, maintaining equipment, ensuring quality control, and contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives within the laboratory. Histology technicians directly impact patient care through processing, sectioning, and staining tissue specimens working collaboratively with pathologists and the care team contributing to our commitment to providing accurate and timely results. Major Responsibilities: - Ensure quality control and quality assurance and participates in continuous quality improvement. - Prepares and processes specimens for gross and microscopic examination and diagnosis by a pathologist. May assist in the preparation of frozen sections of surgical specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist. - Performs histology and cytology procedures including specimen processing/fixation, cell block preparation, embedding, microtomy, slide preparation, routine and special stains, case organization in accordance with department procedures. - Assures positive sample, block and slide identification. - Prepares and maintains solutions for routine stains and histology procedures. Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and instrumentation per manufacturer & department procedures and per department schedule. - Utilizes problem-solving skills to ensure the accuracy of procedures performed and proper equipment performance. Troubleshoots to and takes appropriate corrective action to resolve and/or escalate issues in a timely manner for resolution. - Adheres to department policy with regards to performance and documentation of quality control and quality assurance for instrumentation, equipment, and procedures performed. Identifies unacceptable results/outcomes, takes appropriate action, and escalates to department leadership when unable to resolve. Ensures that patient materials are not provided to a pathologist until the issue has been resolved. - Supports the department in achieving goals for service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, a healthy work environment, and integration of intra- and inter-departmental activities. - Acts as a resource to peers and customers. Models teamwork. - Assists in the orientation, training, and competency documentation of department personnel as requested. - Participates in accreditation inspections. - Performs duties of a Complex Specimen Processor as required. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors: - Possess a comprehensive understanding of histology methods and their correlation to disease processes. - Demonstrate the ability to meticulously follow directions and protocols for the proper fixation and routine staining of samples. - Exhibit the capability to consistently prepare and produce specimen sections with appropriate slide orientation, thickness, and stain quality for microscopic diagnosis by a pathologist. - Demonstrates good technique in the cutting, embedding, orientation, and staining of specimens. - Possess a general understanding of laboratory accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements. - Exhibit excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, setting a positive example for colleagues. - Demonstrate the ability to assimilate and analyze information and recommend actions to be taken. - Effective and proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills. - Ability to view work situations from a broad context understanding the interdependent nature of work processes. Considers the impact of decisions on other components of the organization. Education & Experience: - 1 year experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred. - High School Diploma required. - Associate's Degree preferred. Licenses, Certifications & Training: - State license where required (CA, FL, NV) - HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification is highly desirable. Benefits HCA Healthcare, offers a total