HISTOLOGY TECHNICIAN II OR HISTOTECHNOLOGIST, WDL; CASUAL - 1ST SHIFT

Come join our team of innovative and unparalleled lab and support staff!

Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories (WDL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin regional health network, which is a partnership between Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin supporting a shared mission of patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Patient care is our top priority, from test orders to transportation of specimens to reporting of test results. We perform over five million tests annually with test capabilities that match the largest labs in the world, providing expert academic care in every community. We combine our robust test directory and expert faculty and staff with compassionate patient care and unparalleled logistical support. WDL specializes in delivering comprehensive, clinical laboratory services to clients ranging from large tertiary care centers to small community practices.

We invite you to review the job posting below. If you meet the requirements and qualifications for this opportunity, you are encouraged to apply.

Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer who values and maintains an environment that attracts, recruits, engages and retains a diverse workforce. As a federal contractor/subcontractor, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We welcome protected veterans to share their priority consideration status with us at 414-805-7500. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. During your application and interview process, if you have a need that requires an accommodation, please contact us at 414-805-7500. We will attempt to fulfill all reasonable accommodation requests.

Thank you for considering a career with Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories!

Location: US:WI:MILWAUKEE at our WI DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES facility.

FTE: 0.001

*1.0 FTE is Full-Time, any position less than 1.0 FTE is Part-Time, and .001 FTE is Casual*

*Positions with an "FTE" (full time equivalency) of .8 - 1.0 are eligible for full-time medical, dental and vision benefits. Positions with an "FTE" of .5 - .799 are eligible for part-time pro-rated medical, dental and vision benefits*

Shift: 1st shift (Hours may vary based on department need and staff availability. Typically working 1 - 2 days per week).

Summary:

Performs routine and special procedures on patients’ tissue specimens in preparation for pathological examination including advanced skills, special stains. Involved in continuing education of histotechnicians. The lead will train new and existing staff, troubleshoot problems, create, update and communicate new policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

1. Consistently receives, accepts and recognizes specimens and requests that arrive in the lab. Assures proper identification and specimen transport condition. Maintains specimen identification throughout entire process. Recognizes STAT specimens and follows proper handling procedures.
2. Maintains accuracy when accessioning specimens, making cassettes, and assigning cases. Special testing requests (frozen, lymphoma workups, etc.) are handled according to protocol, including the decal and processing for bone marrows.
3. Understands the differences in processing protocols and sets up tissue to be processed according to these protocols. Demonstrates working knowledge of the Peloris and VIP processors and can perform daily maintenance and troubleshooting.
4. Recognizes adequacy of processing and identifies and corrects problems that may result in inadequately processed tissue. Determines correct mold size, identifies and orients specimens using correct embedding techniques. Identifies and corrects problems that result from labeling or accession errors. Embeds an acceptable amount of blocks in a given time frame based on department standards. Maintains adequate paraffin supply at embedding stations and keeps area clean and free of clutter.
5. Operates and maintains microtome according to manufacturer’s guidelines. Consistently determines acceptable vs. unacceptable sections based on established standards. Follows standard procedures for obtaining acceptable microscopic slides. Identifies and corrects problem areas that result in inadequately cut slides. Cuts an acceptable amount of blocks in a given timeframe based on departmental standards.
6. Selects appropriate stains and reagents to perform routine staining. Prepares and maintains stains and other solutions required in staining procedures. Identifies proper control tissues and stains used to demonstrate specific pathogens or constituents. Determines acceptable vs. unacceptable staining. Identifies and corrects problem areas that result in inadequately stained slides. Demonstrates working knowledge of the stainers and coverslippers and can perform daily maintenance and troubleshooting.
7. Uses Cerner at case assembly to make appropriate changes to a case to add or remove blocks, stains, decals, etc. Before distribution of slides, all discrepancies are resolved, quality of staining and coverslipping is deemed adequate, and cases are verified in Cerner.
8. Consistently pulls recut and pending worklists from Cerner to verify that all orders are complete. Follows the process for pulling slides and blocks from the slide room or histology.
9. Maintains/services laboratory instruments according to established protocols. Correctly operates instruments for intended purpose. Monitors and documents instrument performance utilizing the laboratory QA/QC program and recognizing malfunctions and the need for repairs.
10. Operates a cryostat with correct settings, temperatures, alignments and knife angles to insure optimum sectioning. Replaces blades as necessary. Determines block orientation and facing in order to obtain a representative section. Correctly labels slides with appropriate information. Freezes and cuts tissue and produces acceptable slides in the allotted time frame. Recognizes and evaluates instances in which a specific tissue requires deviation from standard procedures in order to insure that a diagnostic section is produced. Cleans and disinfects the cryostat, rotates or changes stains as needed, and stocks and maintains the frozen section area.
11. Adheres to all histology policies and procedures and ensures compliance of all local, federal, CLIA, and CAP regulations.
12. Participates in and successfully completes all competency assessments/challenges specific to this position. Records documenting and substantiating competency and/or improvement plans are maintained by the specific department.
13. Performs all duties necessary to produce special stains. Programs, loads, unloads, and troubleshoots the Artisan Links. Obtains orders from Cerner or outside client faxes and takes all necessary steps to complete the order and distributes them to the appropriate resident, pathologist, or client. Prepares staining solutions and performs manual special stains. Chooses the correct control for specials and evaluates all slides for proper staining according to procedure. Updates all necessary information in Cerner including adding controls, printing labels, and verifying completed tasks.
14. Verifies the acceptability of H&E control slides, IHC slides, and is competent in advanced tissue identification when reading slides.
15. Retrieves IHC orders from Cerner and outside client faxes and chooses appropriate blocks. Retrieves correct controls for antibodies ordered, accurately labels slides, and chooses the correct platform to perform testing. Creates sections of adequate quality. Fills out QC sheets and enters case information into the IHC log. Organizes, labels, and distributes slides.
16. Demonstrates the ability to develop, execute and/or validate new procedures. Writes and revises technical procedures to establish guidelines.
17. Provides guidance and training to Histotechnician I and Histotechnician II, students, and lab assistants. Actively participates in training as needed.

Qualifications:

Histology Technician II

1. Associate degree in Histotechnology, or High School Diploma, AND

2. Current HT or HTL ASCP Certification and evidence of certification maintenance if required by ASCP.

Histotechnologist

1. Bachelor’s degree in Histotechnology, or Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours on both).

2. Current HTL American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification and evidence of certification maintenance if required by ASCP.

Perks & Benefits at Wisconsin Diagnostic Labs

Wisconsin Diagnostics Labs Offers a variety of perks & benefits to staff, depending on your role you may be eligible for the following:

• Paid Time Off
• Growth opportunity- Career Pathways & Career Tuition Assistance, CEU opportunities
• Academic Partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin
• Referral bonuses
• Retirement plan - 401K
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Free Workplace Clinics
• Employee Assistance Programs, Adoption Assistance, Healthy Contributions, Care@Work, Moving Assistance, Discounts on gym memberships, travel and other work life benefits available