Job Title: Histology Team Lead Prepared Date: July 2008

SUMMARY

Lead Histology Technician provide technical supervision of a small staff of laboratory personnel performing routine technical laboratory work in preparing tissue for microscopic studies for diagnostic, research or training purposes.

As lead workers, Lead Histology Technicians are characterized by the responsibility for providing technical supervision and training to Histology Technicians and other laboratory employees in histological procedures, assisting in guiding staff in the performance of specific tasks, reviewing completed slides for quality of technical work and for performing a variety of non-standardized techniques and procedures requiring delicate and precise preparation. Illustrative of such procedures include the preparation and use of non-standardized and special stains some of which require microscopic differentiation, cutting serial sections of anatomical structures requiring precise positioning and delicate preparation.

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

These positions provide technical supervision over Histology Technicians and other laboratory personnel. Lead Histology Technicians assign work, provide assistance and training in histological procedures, and evaluate work for technical correctness.

Lead Histology Technicians work under the general supervision and guidance of the Histology Supervisor who instruct in unusual or special techniques, spot-check work and provide overall direction, control and guidance to the laboratory operation. Lead Histology Technicians generally do not require close technical supervision because of the competence they have achieved and because their work is largely prescribed by detailed written and unwritten guidelines, techniques and standard sources of information.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Good knowledge of the instruments, materials and techniques of preserving, embedding, sectioning, staining and mounting specimens for microscopic examination and analysis.
• Working knowledge of the practical Anatomic Pathology laboratory principles, practices and procedures in histology and of the chemistry and biology involved.
• Working knowledge of Anatomic Pathology terminology.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety precautions.
• Working knowledge of staining, embedding, processing and mounting procedures used in preparing slides of clinical specimens.
• Ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions. Ability to observe variations in color to verify the quality of staining processes to insure that essential features of tissue sections can be properly defined.
• Ability to accurately record observations.
• Ability to perform laboratory work according to rigid medical standards.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail for long periods of time.
• Ability to lead and train selected laboratory employees.
• Promotes teamwork in the department (encourages employees to support/assist others when short staffed and to work together when required) such that all required work is completed accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates technical and clinical expertise.
• Ensures that proper documentation of employee errors/problems has been' communicated/distributed to the employee and supervisor appropriately.
• Ensures staff is updated and informed of any changes (or other information), conducting meetings if necessary.
• Clearly communicates all concerns/ issues related to assigned areas to supervisor /manager in a timely manner.
• Ensures that all job responsibilities have been effectively communicated / assigned to staff and accurately completed within established time frame.
• Addresses job related errors as they pertain to employees or the department.
• Assists supervisor / manager in performing various assigned responsibilities (i.e. planning, compliance, troubleshooting, training, making workflow recommendations, etc.) completely, accurately and within established timeframes.
• Provides effective on-the-job training, such that performance objectives are clear, staff member knows and has all skills necessary to perform effectively, learning includes feedback that is evaluative, diagnostic and corrective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Five years working experience as a Histology Technician/Technologist with a least two years experience as a Lead or Senior Technician and HT/HTL (ASCP) certification. An Associate or Bachelor’s degree is preferred.