Diagnostic Technician - Histopathology

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TVMDL is recruiting for a Diagnostic Technician to join our Histopathology unit in College Station. This is not a research position, but a role that allows employees to become part of a team that works to diagnose diseases, conditions, and abnormalities in both live and deceased livestock, poultry, and companion animals.

General Description

This position serves as a Diagnostic technician in the Histopathology Section, a fast paced, high volume laboratory that prepares an average of 330 slides a day for microscopic examination. This is not a research position, but a role that allows employees to become part of a team that works to diagnose diseases, conditions, and abnormalities in both live and deceased livestock, poultry, and companion animals.

Key responsibilities include trimming samples of formalin-fixed animal tissue for automated processing; embedding processed tissues in paraffin; microtoming sections; and staining and cover slipping slides. This role requires performance of routine, repetitive tasks with considerable technical supervision and the ability to troubleshoot routine procedures.

Responsibilities

Sample Prep, Sample Cataloging: Retrieve samples, visually analyze samples for quality, order appropriate tests in TVMDL’s computer-based laboratory information management system (LIMS). File and/or catalog specimens, slides, paraffin blocks, or other diagnostic material for archival purposes.

Testing: Review submittal forms and interpret test requests/client instructions. Visually analyze samples and record notes on each, indicating observations, measurements, diagrams, and/or descriptions of each tissue. Ensure documentation meets quality assurance requirements.

Trim tissues for automated processing, embed tissues in paraffin, use a microtome to cut thin sections, adhere sections to slides, and prepare slides for staining techniques. May perform special staining techniques. Prepare samples for national and state regulatory disease monitoring programs. Use automated immunohistochemistry staining system for prion specimens.

Client Communication: Communicate with clients via phone or in writing to clarify test requests, discuss basic testing capabilities, and verify sample details or patient history. Ensure confidentiality of correspondence and reports.

Quality Assurance & Safety: Adhere and conform to quality assurance and safety programs and procedures. Assist in identifying incidents of nonconformance and noncompliance. Actively participate in quality assurance and safety programs. Perform trainings and testing within established turnaround times. Responsible for safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals when relevant. Successfully complete proficiency tests as assigned.

Supplies, Stock, Inventory, and Equipment: Catalog incoming supplies and stock inventory. Inform management when supply inventory is low, inadequate, or expired. Perform routine lab equipment maintenance such as replacing filters, replacing coverslip film, replacing and adding reagents such as alcohols, xylene, acids, buffers, and dyes in various automated machines, and lubricating microtomes. Maintain clean work areas by removing paraffin buildup, cleaning stainless steel equipment, and recycling empty jars, cardboard boxes, and paper.

Administrative Roles: Complete and file electronic paperwork in a timely manner, including worksheets, forms, accession forms, regulatory forms, quality assurance and safety documentation, equipment maintenance forms, and logbooks. Abide by agency and state records retention and confidentiality requirements.

May perform result entry and assist with routing regulatory paperwork for state and national animal health disease monitoring programs during peak testing.

Teamwork & Cooperation: Work with colleagues in other testing sections and laboratories to coordinate testing for shared samples. Assist in training fellow technicians as needed. Foster laboratory teamwork, cooperation, professional standards, and communications. Participate in cross training with fellow technicians. Provide backup to fellow technicians in case of absences. Other job-related duties as assigned.

Other: Work shall be performed with adherence to federal, state, Texas A&M University System, and TVMDL safety rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Perform work in such a way as to not expose others or oneself to hazards that are avoidable by reasonable and approved methods.

Position Details

How to Apply

Required:

Preferred:

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.