Histology/Cytology Technician

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Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories

Pursue your passion for caring and innovation as a team member in the state-of-the-art Duke Health laboratories. Duke Health laboratories are College of American Pathologists accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified. The multidisciplinary team is committed to serving the rare and complex testing needs of Duke Health patients by providing timely and accurate results, educating the next generation of laboratorians, scientists and physicians, and researching and developing the cutting-edge diagnostics of tomorrow.

General Description

Perform routine histopathologic tests and/or cytopathology specimen processing in a clinical laboratory for use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease.

Duties and Responsibilities

HISTOLOGY

• Perform routine paraffin sections of surgical and autopsy tissue for microscopic examination in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Perform frozen cryostat sectioning.
• Prepare specimens and reagents for processing; perform routine and special staining techniques. Label, file, discard and maintain records of slides and blocks.

CYTOPATHOLOGY

• Check specimen container for completeness regarding demographic information to include specimen source against requisition/order.
• Receive & accession specimens to include gross description & any notes as needed.
• Evaluate specimen for correct preparation protocol.
• Prepare specimen according to appropriate specimen protocol SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) to include staining/cover slipping, & labeling.
• Troubleshoot specimen preparation issues as they arise alerting appropriate cytology staff, as necessary.

COMMON TASKS

• Reconcile labels with finished products and provide specimens for microscopic examination and diagnosis by the pathologist.
• Order appropriate tests on the computer.
• Perform various Quality Control procedures to maintain compliance with internal and external regulations. Utilize various hospital information systems and software.
• May demonstrate/teach preparatory techniques/instrument use to residents, fellows, medical students, & visiting students.

Required Qualifications

Education

High School Diploma required. Associate Degree in Science preferred.

Minimal educational or experience requirements may be modified on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment) director if minimal CLIA requirements are met by the employee for the tasks being performed.

Experience

None required.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

None required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to listen, read, understand and perform assigned laboratories.
• Manual dexterity skills adequate for fine detail work.