Histotechnologist II

About the role

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Phoenix, AZ location in the Cancer Diagnostic Division.

We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.

Our Point of Care diagnostic portfolio spans key health and therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, cardiometabolic, informatics, and toxicology.

Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments, and informatics systems is often the first step in patient care decision-making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers.

Our rapid diagnostics solutions are helping address some of the world’s greatest healthcare challenges.

Our molecular division delivers best-in-class innovative testing solutions for people around the world to provide answers to life’s critical health decisions.  We help people live full and healthy lives through our accessible, molecular-based solutions.

Position Overview

The Histotechnologist II will perform a variety of histology laboratory procedures used to produce tissue slides and support the general laboratory duties expected to be performed in a CLIA/CAP-certified histopathology laboratory. The Histotechnologist II shall adhere to all safety, quality controls, and procedures, and learn and perform all functions of histology, pathology, and molecular aspects needed in the laboratory.

Schedule: Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am – 9:30pm

Essential Duties

Include but are not limited to the following

• Label documentation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks, slides, and microcentrifuge tubes by following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Routine sectioning, fixation, and processing procedures related to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining/slide production for fresh frozen (FF) and FFPE samples according to SOPs.
• Prepare and perform processing procedures for DNA and RNA analysis extraction according to SOPs.
• Label accessioned samples/sample containers and test requisition forms using the laboratory labeling system with assigned numbers specific to the patient case from laboratory information system (LIS) accessioning.
• Prepare and perform all aspects related to the routine processing of FF tissue samples, including preparation for tumor estimate procedures, according to SOPs.
• Accession and enter data of received patient samples and specific test requests into LIS according to SOPs.
• File and store all slides and FFPE tissue blocks.
• Assist with the initial quality review of incoming specimens.
• Maintain all histology equipment and corresponding documentation, including but not limited to quality control worksheets, preventive maintenance records, and day-to-day maintenance.
• Enter data into the histology portion of the information management system (IMS).
• Perform routine and/or non-routine histology procedures and regularly review work to ensure it is carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Perform microdissection of unstained slides in accordance with markings provided on stained slides.
• Prepare reagents, solutions, and controls.
• Perform and document equipment maintenance and calibration.
• Assist in sample returns, as needed.
• Interact with pathologists and laboratory staff, in accordance with SOPs, to ensure specimens are processed in a timely manner and with high quality.
• Provide materials and reagent receipt and management in accordance with SOPs.
• Provide technical assistance to other staff, as needed.
• Assist in training team members, as needed.
• Perform H&E staining.
• Monitor and process the histology queue for various tasks and perform those tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize and drive results with a high emphasis on quality.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to multitask and rapidly switch directions to accommodate changes in study designs.
• Display high attention to detail.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work designated schedules.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work overtime, as needed.
• Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment, including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes, for extended periods.
• May perform repetitive actions using laboratory tools.
• Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
• Ability to spend considerable periods concentrating, reading, analyzing data, or applying scientific rules.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; and reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited Histotechnician program and 3+ years of laboratory experience (one year of experience may be counted from program completion).
• High School Diploma and 5+ years of laboratory experience OR Associate Degree in a scientific field and 3+ years of laboratory experience. OR Bachelor's Degree in a scientific field and 1+ years of laboratory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Basic computer skills, including internet navigation and email usage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active ASCP Board of Certification, such as: HT (ASCP) HTL (ASCP)

Pay and benefits

The base pay for this position is $22.45 – $44.85/hour

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

• JOB FAMILY: Operations Quality
• DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics
• LOCATION: United States > Phoenix: 445 North 5th St

Additional Locations

• WORK SHIFT: Standard
• TRAVEL: No
• MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No

Significant Work Activities

Awkward/forceful/repetitive (arms above shoulder, bent wrists), Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Exposure to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit/16 degrees Celsius or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit/28 degrees Celsius on a regular basis, Routine work with chemicals, Work with human blood or other potentially infectious materials