1. Performs frozen sections, oversees, and participates in the daily preparation of paraffin sections for staining of patient tissue, performs all level of special stain, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains in work area, quality assurance and quality control monitors, and equipment maintenance.
2. Demonstrates proper techniques for all technical applications related to paraffin specimen processing for all surgical tissue types, according to department guidelines.
3. Prepare quality paraffin sections required for all routine, special and immunohistochemical stains offered by the laboratory using guidelines established by the laboratory protocols. Will be required to perform frozen tissue preparations for routine and histochemical staining.
4. Completes special stain procedures within the established laboratory guidelines and performs troubleshooting as needed.
5. Follows standard precaution guidelines when handling and processing all specimens. Follows all processing procedures for specimen preparation in accordance with the laboratory manual.
6. Assists with processing of specimens, data entry, and documentation of quality control. Demonstrates basic skills to evaluate and solve problems related to the collection and processing of tissue and cytological specimens for analysis. Analyzes quality control data, makes judgments concerning the results for basic troubleshooting, and takes appropriate action to maintain quality of staining.
7. Assists in operation and management of the laboratory. Assists supervisor with setting work priorities and advises histology technicians and clinical laboratory assistants as to appropriate procedures and techniques. Is responsible for assisting supervisor with maintaining the laboratory under the guidelines of accrediting agencies. Will assist chief histology technician with developing, validating and writing procedures as needed.
8. Responsible for preparing dilutions, calculations, and percentages for special histology preparations. Performs specialized histology and histochemical procedures, such as those of enzymes, polysaccharides, immunohistochemical and immuno-fluorescents. Maintains adequate inventory to complete work and orders supplies as needed per established polices.
9. Prepares teaching materials for use in instruction of medical students and resident physicians. May serve as a bench instructor for histology training program and new staff members, establishing competency of employees.
10. Participates in process improvement activities. May attend system Quality Council meetings as requested or required. May participate in research activities and investigation of new products, equipment, techniques, and methodologies. Collects and organizes research data for project reports. Demonstrates a commitment to ethical conduct.
11. Performs other duties as assigned. Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients; b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants; c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing, or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing, or similarly affecting human-subjects research records. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities