Distinguishing Characteristics: 
 
This technical classification differs from Clinical Laboratory Scientist in that a State license is not required.
PAYROLL TITLE:  Histologist
NEW HIRE/RETENTION INCENTIVES
Subject to the applicable section of the SEIU 721 MOA 2022-2025, Sec. 622, a market-based premium pay (MBPP) forHistologist will be applied as follows:
Histologist: $3.00 per hour
 
Upon recommendation of the Director Health Care Agency, the Director-Human Resources may approve a market-based premium pay (MBPP) of up to $3.00 per hour for Regular Histologist incumbents. 
*APPROXIMATE SALARY (with above MBPP applied): 
 Histologist: $27.22– $36.85 per hour
EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center/Santa Paula Hospital (VCMC) - Pathological Lab
The current vacancy is for an Intermittent position. An Intermittent Employee is a person employed for intermittent/temporary work on a day-to-day basis. This Intermittent position will be assigned weekends and some shifts during the week.
 
Histologist is represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Intermittent vacancy.
 
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 3/19/24
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Prepares surgical material and anatomical tissue for microscopic study, prepares tissue portions for embedding in paraffin blocks, cuts microscopic sections from tissue blocks with a microtome, stains the slide mounted strips of tissue, examines samples of the stained slides to ascertain that the results are satisfactory, prepares fixing and staining solutions, sharpens knives for the microtomies, and attends at rapid frozen section examinations using the cryostat microtome;
• Prepares and maintains accurate records, work load reports, files, and other documentation/records;
• Tracks and ensures adequate supply of all materials needed to operate histology laboratory;
• Orients and trains newly hired laboratory staff for all aspects of the histology laboratory operation in a timely manner and documents training; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
 
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of experience in a hospital histology laboratory under the direction of a Pathologist.
DESIRED
Eligibility for, or possession of, a certificate in Histology issued by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 
Knowledge of: biology, anatomy, and chemistry in order to possess an understanding of the fundamental aspects of histochemical, special staining, and other related histological procedures; laboratory procedures; equipment; and, safety practices.
 
Demonstrated skill in: utilization of laboratory instruments, equipment, and materials used in a histology laboratory; and utilization of computer systems used to input specimens, generate slides and labels, record work flow, and enter billing information.
 
Ability to: perform histological testing under the direction of a pathologist; prepare and maintain accurate documentation; carry out written and verbal instructions; perform routine lab and equipment maintenance functions; work independently; communicate effectively; and, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.FINAL FILING DATE: This is a Continuous recruitment and can close at any time. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
 
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/hr. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call(805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying:  All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION – 100%: A job-related written examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge of equipment, stains and techniques, and surgical material/anatomical tissue. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
 
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.
 
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Nathan Wood by telephone at (805) 677-5232 or by e-mail at nathan.wood@ventura.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.