Lead Histotechnologist

Gundersen Health System
United States, Wisconsin, La Crosse
Feb 28, 2025
Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you're looking for a job to love, apply today. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36 Strong Potential Internal Candidate Identified Position Details: Full time, 72 hours biweekly (0.9 FTE) What You'll Do: The Lead Histotechnologist, under the direction of themanager,isresponsiblefor assisting withtheoverseeing the day-to-day operations of the histology laboratory, in accordance with the established organization and department policies. They play a lead role in the strategic planning process andtheimplementation of initiates focused on enhancedperformance,workflowredesign, and developing a culture that emphasizes,continuousimprovement and excellence in the quality and delivery of laboratory services. They areresponsible for coordinating the training /competency of all employees in the section. The Lead Histotechnologist is responsible for ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met, delegates and provideslaboratoryexpertise for staff within thelaboratory and provides technical expertise in a manner that promotes collaboration with the internal and external customers. Major Responsibilities: 1. As directed by the manager leads the histology laboratory staff, which includes assisting with assigning work schedules, provide direction to staff, and coordinates daily workflow. Provides input to the manager on staff evaluations. Participates in recruitment and hiring process. Ensures that all staff completes orientation/training and annual safety requirements including safety training, air monitoring, etc. Ensures that staff competency assessment assignment is completed annually. 2. Independent decision-making regarding daily operational issues as determined by the Medical Director and manager. Oversight of the physical facilities and environment regarding cleanliness, safety and need for repairs, including resolution of equipment problems. Ensures that equipment is properly maintained, and annual documentation of service is maintained. Monitors staining and ensures highest quality stain results. Performs QC review and ensures that QC documentation is complete. Ensures that the laboratory is maintained in a neat, clean condition with adequate supplies and reagents available. Ensures timely, accurate filing of diagnostic materials. Ensures accuracy and completeness in record keeping and documentation. Maintains high level of communication with manager regarding workload, problems and their resolution. Ensures that diagnostic priorities are communicated and completed. Develops and implements procedures as directed by the manager and Medical Director. Participate in ongoing development and utilization of department computer system to meet specific needs for each area in the lab. 3. Will have primary responsibility for the Histology laboratory's immunohistochemistry staining ensuring IHC staining operations are in compliance with all CAP accreditation requirements. Including perform Immunohisto-chemical and/or Immunofluorescence preparations including staining technique; selection of proper control material; titration of immunlogic reagents. Responsible for the performance characteristics of each assay. Under direction of Medical Director, leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research, validation test protocol set up, validation testing, recordkeeping and documentation. Produces final validation reports. Maintains reagent protocol records, modifying as indicated by Medical Director. 4. Assists in writing new technical procedures and policies and revising current procedures. Assists in improving the quality and efficiency of laboratory procedures, policies and processes. Ensures procedure manuals are current accurate and meet the standards of accrediting agencies. 5. Monitors quality control, quality assurance, and ensures results are within acceptable performance standards. Evaluates, compares and interprets ambiguous and erroneous results and makes decisions on most appropriate corrective action to resolve technical problems or instrument problems. 6. Responsible for providing skill rosters for new employees and competency testing for all staff working within the section. Provides direction for specified testing activities in the section. Able to provide explanation of theoretical background of testing. Assists with assigning work and oversees troubleshooting of technical issues. 7. Participates as a member of a team to select, validate and implement new test methodologies and instrumentation. Gains technical expertise related to new technologies, often through independent study. Also, trains and educated others within the laboratory. 8. Evaluates cost effectiveness for laboratory products from various vendors and suppliers. 9. Promotes conscientiousness regarding Patient Safety policies to staff. Ensure all corporate safety, quality control and quality assurance standards are met. 10. Prepares and processes tissue specimens for histologic examination. Prepares and stains microscopic slides for subsequent evaluation by the pathologist using routine, and special stains, and immunohistochemistry. Assists during surgical pathology consultation by preparing frozen tissue sections. 11. Ensurese specimens are properly labeled and suitable for histologic examination. Prepares and stains microscopic slides for subsequent evaluation by the pathologist using routine, and special stains, and immunohistochemistry. Assists during surgical pathology consultation by preparing frozen tissue sections. 12. Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Maintains a filing system for paraffin tissue blocks, slides and wet tissue. Processes tissue using automated processors to ensure full preservation and infiltration by paraffin. 13. Performs other job-related responsibilities as requested. Education and Learning: Required Associate degree in a science based fieldor60 semester hours of academic credit from a accredited college/university with a combination of 12 semester hours of biology and chemistry Desired Associate degree inQualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC Work Experience: Required 5-7 years in Histology, lab or research Desired 6 monthsRecent work history as a histology technician in a comparable high-volume hospital histology laboratory License and Certifications: REQUIRED American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician HT or Histotechnologist (HTL) Certification If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact HR-Recruitment@gundersenhealth.org or call 608-775-0267 We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values - belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility - our pillars set our foundation and our future. Equal Opportunity Employer