SUPV HISTOLOGYCYTOLO

Histology Supervisor (High-Volume Anatomic Pathology Laboratory)

Overview

The Histology Supervisor will lead and oversee a high-volume histology and anatomic pathology laboratory that serves multiple hospitals and outreach surgical centers. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient daily operations of tissue processing and slide preparation across all sites, maintaining the highest standards of quality and patient safety. The supervisor will coordinate workflow, optimize processes for rapid turnaround times, and enforce strict quality control for all histological techniques. Compliance with all regulatory standards is a key focus, as this position must ensure the lab consistently meets CAP, Joint Commission, CLIA, and FDA requirements. This is a leadership role that requires an experienced histology professional capable of managing a team across multiple locations, troubleshooting complex technical issues, and collaborating with pathologists and healthcare teams to deliver exceptional service.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Histotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Certification: ASCP certified Histotechnologist (HTL) or equivalent certification (required).
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in histology, including significant leadership experience in a high-throughput histopathology laboratory environment. Proven track record of managing high-volume lab operations and meeting demanding turnaround times.

Expertise and Skills

The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Advanced Histology Instrumentation: Expert in operating and maintaining a wide range of histology laboratory instruments, including Leica and Ventana platforms, microtomes, tissue embedding centers, H&E automated stainers, tissue processors, and cryostats. Able to perform and oversee special stains and advanced immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedures with proficiency.
• High-Volume Workflow & Process Optimization: Deep understanding of high-volume histology workflows, including specimen grossing support, cassette/block processing, slide preparation, microtomy, and staining. Capable of analyzing and improving processes to maximize efficiency and throughput without sacrificing quality.
• Special Staining & IHC: Strong proficiency in a variety of special staining techniques and IHC protocols. Experience with antibody selection and validation, optimizing staining protocols, and troubleshooting complex or inconsistent stain results. Ensures stain quality and consistency for accurate pathological interpretation.
• Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements for anatomic pathology labs, including CAP (College of American Pathologists) checklists, Joint Commission standards, CLIA regulations, and relevant FDA guidelines. Ensures all laboratory practices, documentation, and procedures are in full compliance and that the lab is inspection-ready at all times.
• Instrumentation Validation & Quality Control: Hands-on experience with validating new instruments and methods in the histology lab. Able to perform instrument verification, method comparison studies, and establish quality control programs for equipment performance. Monitors instrument maintenance and conducts routine QA/QC to guarantee reliable results.
• Leadership & Staff Supervision: Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of histotechnologists, pathology assistants, and support staff. Experience managing personnel across multiple hospital locations and outreach centers, coordinating schedules and training to ensure consistent practices. Fosters a collaborative, high-performance work environment with clear communication and team development.
• Budgeting & Resource Management: Skill in managing laboratory budgets and resources efficiently. Responsible for inventory control of reagents, chemicals, and consumables; places orders and maintains stock levels to prevent downtime. Identifies opportunities for cost savings and operational improvements while upholding quality standards.
• Problem-Solving & Communication: Excellent problem-solving and project management abilities. Able to quickly troubleshoot technical issues with processing or staining and implement effective solutions. Strong communication skills are essential for coordinating with pathologists, surgeons, and other departments, as well as for training staff and documenting procedures. The candidate should be able to lead interdisciplinary initiatives and clearly convey technical information to both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee Daily Operations: Manage high-volume histology operations across multiple sites, ensuring an efficient workflow and timely processing of all tissue specimens from grossing to slide distribution.
• Staff Supervision & Training: Supervise, schedule, and train histology staff in proper tissue embedding, microtomy (sectioning), routine H&E staining, and specialized histological techniques. Conduct regular competency assessments and encourage professional development.
• Quality Assurance: Implement and maintain a rigorous quality assurance program, including routine review of slide quality, monitoring stain consistency, and troubleshooting any staining or processing discrepancies. Ensure that all results meet the laboratory’s quality standards and pathology requirements.
• Instrument Management: Oversee the introduction and validation of new histology instruments and technologies. Perform and document instrument verification and calibration. Ensure all equipment (e.g., processors, stainers, IHC autostainers) is properly maintained and any issues are resolved promptly to minimize downtime.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain continuous compliance with CAP, Joint Commission, CLIA, and FDA regulations. Keep all procedure manuals, policies, and quality control records up to date. Prepare the laboratory for inspections and act as the point person during audits or accreditation inspections, addressing any findings with corrective actions.
• Inventory & Budget Management: Manage laboratory supplies and reagents inventory, and oversee budget planning and expenditures. Approve and track orders for reagents, antibodies, consumables, and equipment service, ensuring cost-effective use of resources without compromising test quality.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Work closely with pathologists, laboratory managers, and surgical center staff to meet turnaround time (TAT) goals and optimize workflow. Coordinate with the pathology department on priorities for STAT cases, intraoperative consultations (e.g., frozen sections), and any special testing needs.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing laboratory performance, efficiency, and patient safety. Analyze workflow metrics and quality indicators to identify areas for improvement. Develop and implement action plans for process enhancements, error reduction, and new technique integration.

Schedule and Work Environment

This is a full-time, day-shift position (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM), typically Monday through Friday. The Histology Supervisor will primarily work during daytime hours, but must be adaptable to adjust hours when required to meet critical laboratory needs or support off-hour staff. The work is performed in a laboratory setting handling biological specimens and operating histology equipment. The candidate must be capable of standing or sitting for extended periods and adhering to all laboratory safety protocols.

The ideal candidate is a driven, detail-oriented leader with exceptional technical expertise and a passion for quality in patient care. This role demands a combination of hands-on histology skill and strategic management ability to ensure the laboratory consistently delivers timely, accurate results in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Effective communication, teamwork, and a commitment to regulatory compliance and continuous improvement are essential for success in this position.