WORK EXPERIENCE
Lab Histology – Technician, Mid Atlantic Pathology, Sterling, Virginia, May 2022 - Present
- Process routine specimen for Pathologist review according to policies and procedures
- Perform tissue grossing including measuring, mapping, and documenting various tissue types.
- Ensure proper tissue processing embedded processed tissue in paraffin and perform microtomy of embedded tissue.
- Communicate with Supervisor and Pathologist concerning specimen problems and investigation.
- Maintain a clean and well-organized work area
Lab Histology - Technologist, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, MD, March 2013 - Present
- Performed embedding techniques by properly orienting tissue specimens.
- Performed microtomy to provide a high-quality histologic slide to the pathologist for interpretation.
- Check for stain quality and artifacts.
- Maintaining equipment, reagents, and stains, including preventive maintenance of equipment.
- Participated in quality control and quality assurance programs within the area of histopathology.
- Assisted supervisor in carrying out goals and objectives of department.
- Slide and block filing /retrieving.
Lab Histology -Technician, LabCorp Herndon, Virginia, March 2009 to 2012• Performed embedding techniques by properly orienting tissue specimens.
- Performed microtomy to provide a high-quality histologic slide to the pathologist for interpretation.
- Check for stain quality and artifacts.
- Performed special stains on Ventana Nexes Automated Slide Stainer.
- Performed immunohistochemistry stains on Benchmark and Benchmark XT.
- Maintaining equipment, reagents, and stains, including preventive maintenance of equipment.
- Participated in quality control and quality assurance programs within the area of histopathology.
- Assisted supervisor in carrying out goals and objectives of department.
- Slide and block filing /retrieving.
Lab Histology -Technician, Reston Hospital Center, Reston, Virginia, September 2001 to
December 2007
Technical skills in the preparation of the gross tissue specimens for microscopic examination
- Accessioned surgical and cytological specimens and special requests into Anatomic
Pathology information system.
- Performed embedding techniques by correctly orienting tissue specimens.
- Performed microtomy techniques to provide thin, artifact-free sections of diagnostic quality slides.
- Assisted pathologist with procedures on Frozen Sections, cutting sections that represents the sections in its entirety and stained slides to intended reactivity in a timely and efficient manner.
- Performed Cytology on Bronchial Fluid, Bronchial Lavage, Pelvic, Pleural, Ascitic,
Paracentesis Fluids, Needle Aspiration, Urine, CSF & Bladder Washing.
- Preserved, processed & stained Cytology specimens.
- Labeled, filed, and retrieved specimens, paraffin blocks and microscopic slides in an accurate manner.
- Performed routine as well as technically demanding test with high level of competency and on a timely basis.
Technical skills in the preparation of special staining procedures for microscopic examination
- Followed quality control procedures for routine and special stains according to procedure manuals to ensure clarity and intended reactivity of patient tissue.
- Prepared solutions and stains according to procedural specifications.
- Performed quality assurance procedures, checking for proper tissue structures and their staining characteristics on control slides.
- Staining solutions changed/rotated as needed to ensure quality of stain.
- Supplies and staining solutions ordered as necessary to ensure availability.
Technical skills and abilities in the routine maintenance of equipment
- Performed and documented all quality control activities, required instrument maintenance,
and related required maintenance such as temperature checks, etc.
- Maintained equipment and supplies ensuring proper operating conditions.
- Maintained records required for laboratory inspections, reported any malfunctions or discrepancies to supervisor and took corrective action if necessary.
- Troubleshot and repaired equipment as necessary.Appropriately handled and disposed pathological waste and chemicals used in preserving and processing of tissue.
Resolved and documented specimen and patient discrepancies prior to processing.
Processed and prepared specimens, blocks, slides requiring special handling for off-site consult and testing.
Anticipated and responded to unusual situations within the department, this included recognizing and solving problems.
Lab Histology - technician, University Hospital Bedford Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
March 2001 to August 2001
- Received specimens from the operating room, nursing units, or outpatient specimens.
Assigned number to specimens and accurately logged them in the Accession Book.
- Accurately processed charges for tissues and special stains performed.
- Handled tissues for grossing by Pathologist and set tissue processor after specimens had been processed.
- Assumed responsibility for embedding, microtomy, and routine or special staining of tissues.
- Prepared all Cytology specimens smears and blocks on a timely basis.
- Cut and stained frozen sections on a timely basis
- Responsible for changing solutions on the tissue processor, changing the staining solutions and the preparation of all stock solutions and other stains.
- Performed and documented preventive maintenance on all histology machines and trouble shot malfunctions.
- Maintained histology working area, and histology equipment in a safe, functional, and sanitary condition.
- Informed Pathologist of all problems associated with the preparation of cytology and histology specimens.
- Appropriately handled hazardous chemicals and followed safety policies when storing or handling these chemicals.
- Kept abreast of new procedures and instrumentation.
Lab Histo-Technician, International Cancer Screening Laboratory, San Antonio, Texas,
May 1998 to December 1999
Technical skills in the preparation of the gross tissue specimens for microscopic examination
- Demonstrated accuracy in receiving and accessioning tissue specimens.
- Performed gross procedures on POC’s (Products of Conception) Cervical Cones,
Endocervical Curetting’s, Vaginal and Skin Biopsies.
- Performed embedding techniques by correctly orienting tissue specimens.
- Performed microtomy techniques to provide thin, artifact-free sections of diagnostic quality.
- Labeled, filed, and retrieved specimens, paraffin blocks and microscopic slides in an accurate manner.
Technical skills in the preparation of special staining procedures for microscopic examination
- Prepared solutions and stains according to procedural specifications.
- Performed quality assurance procedures, checking for proper tissue structures and their staining characteristics on control slides.Technical skills and abilities in the routine maintenance of equipment
- Maintained equipment and supplies ensuring proper operating conditions.
- Maintained records required for laboratory inspections, reported any malfunctions or discrepancies to supervisor and took corrective action if necessary.
Lab Histology -Technician Intern, University of Texas Health Science Centre at San
Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, August 1997 to July 1998
Technical skills in the preparation of the gross tissue specimens for microscopic examination
- Accessioned surgical tissue specimens, assisted pathologist in specimen grossing, processing,
embedding, cutting, and staining surgical and autopsy tissue.
- Performed special histo - stains routinely, identified pitfalls, and difficulties while performing these procedures.
- Prepared and stained frozen sections.
- Accurately filed surgical and autopsy blocks.
