Job Description
HISTOLOGY TECHNICIAN
Full-Time | Monterey Bay GI Consultants $24.00-$28.00 per hour | Job Title | Histology Technician | FLSA Status | Non-Exempt |
| Employment | Full-Time | Reports To | Pathology Lab Manager |
| Work Location | Monterey, California | Schedule | Monday-Friday, 6am-230pm |
| Pay Range | $24.00-$28.00 per hour | Travel | None |
About the Practice
Monterey Bay GI Consultants and Monterey Bay Endoscopy Center are respected specialty healthcare organizations serving patients in Monterey and Salinas. Our teams are committed to uncompromising excellence in gastroenterology, endoscopy, and pathology services. We value accuracy, professionalism, collaboration, compassion, and continuous improvement.
Position Summary
The Histology Technician is responsible for receiving gastrointestinal specimens and performing the technical processes required to prepare high-quality microscopic slides for pathologist review. This position supports the full histology workflow, including specimen receipt, cassette and slide preparation, tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, coverslipping, quality control, filing, and laboratory documentation. The successful candidate must be dependable, detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and able to maintain accuracy while working efficiently in a busy laboratory environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Receive, verify, and accession incoming gastrointestinal specimens in accordance with laboratory procedures.
- Confirm patient identifiers, specimen source, container labeling, and accompanying documentation before processing.
- Create and label specimen cassettes and slides accurately using the laboratory information system.
- Operate and navigate Athena electronic medical record and AP Easy laboratory information system.
- Prepare and maintain reagents and solutions according to approved procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- Operate tissue processors and complete routine tissue-processing workflows.
- Embed tissue specimens in paraffin with proper orientation.
- Trim paraffin blocks and cut high-quality tissue sections using a rotary microtome.
- Prepare routine H&E slides and perform special stains as assigned.
- Operate automated stainers, coverslipping equipment, and other histology laboratory instruments.
- Coverslip, label, organize, and distribute completed slides for pathologist review.
- File and retrieve slides, paraffin blocks, requisitions, and related records according to retention procedures.
- Perform and document daily quality-control activities to verify specimen identity, slide quality, staining quality, and completeness.
- Complete equipment maintenance, temperature, reagent-change, cleaning, and quality-assurance logs.
- Monitor inventory and notify laboratory leadership when supplies, reagents, or maintenance services are needed.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready work environment.
- Follow applicable CLIA, OSHA, bloodborne pathogen, formaldehyde, chemical hygiene, and laboratory safety requirements.
- Promptly report specimen discrepancies, processing errors, equipment issues, and safety concerns to laboratory leadership.
- Communicate professionally with physicians, pathologists, endoscopy staff, and other members of the healthcare team.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to patient identification and specimen integrity.
- Ability to balance accuracy with appropriate urgency and productivity.
- Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
- Clear verbal and written communication.
- Methodical work habits and consistent adherence to procedures.
- Ability to work independently and maintain laboratory workflow when working with limited supervision.
- Professionalism, dependability, teamwork, and respect for patient confidentiality.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Ability to read, write, and communicate proficiently in English.
- Interest in and aptitude for working in a pathology or histology laboratory environment.
- Ability to follow detailed written procedures and safety requirements.
- Basic computer skills and ability to learn laboratory and electronic medical record systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous histology, pathology laboratory, medical laboratory, or medical office experience.
- Experience with tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, H&E staining, special stains, and coverslipping.
- Experience with gastrointestinal biopsy specimens.
- ASCP Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification.
- Coursework or education in biology, chemistry, medical laboratory science, histology, or a related field.
- Experience with Leica histology equipment, Athena, or AP Easy.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a clinical histology laboratory. The employee regularly moves throughout the laboratory and alternates between standing and seated work while embedding, sectioning, staining, coverslipping, documenting, and handling specimens. The position involves exposure to human tissue, formalin, xylene, alcohols, paraffin, stains, and other laboratory chemicals. Required personal protective equipment and engineering controls must be used at all times. At times, the employee may work independently and must be able to maintain safe and efficient laboratory operations.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with embedding and microtomy.
- Ability to use fine motor skills for tissue handling, block trimming, sectioning, slide preparation, and coverslipping.
- Ability to lift, carry, and safely handle containers and laboratory supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and work safely around laboratory chemicals and preserved specimens.
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range: $24.00-$28.00 per hour. Final compensation will be based on relevant education, histology experience, certification, technical proficiency, and overall qualifications. Eligible full-time employees may receive benefits in accordance with current practice policies.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Practice is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Job Description Acknowledgment
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time, with or without notice, based on the needs of the Practice.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Work at office, Local area, Monday to Friday