Histology Technician
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Histology Tech

Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Tuesday - Saturday, 2:00 AM - 11:00 AM (5 shifts, 8 hours each)
Hours per Week: 40 hours
Call Requirement: None
Float Requirement: None

Job Description

• Prepare sections of body tissue for examination by a pathologist to diagnose dysfunction and malignancy.
• Process tissue specimens by fixation, dehydration, embedding, sectioning, decalcification, micro incineration, mounting, and staining.
• Work with a team of 4 other histotechs to process, cut, and embed approximately 500 blocks per night.
• Responsible for preparing tissue specimens of human origin for diagnostic or teaching purposes.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Histology Technologist, including experience within the last year.
• ASCP-HT certification required.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) experience required.
• Experience with grossing and fixation of incisional and shave biopsies.
• Proficient in use of automatic tissue processors.
• Experience processing calcified and decalcified tissue.
• Familiarity with GI processing schedules.
• Experience with microwave processing techniques.
• Skilled in cryostat cutting and cutting tissue blocks.
• Embedding experience including large specimens, skin, and use of embedding molds.
• Microtomy experience, including microtomy of hard tissue.

Preferred Skills and Certifications

• Experience in commercial or reference laboratories.
• Knowledge of additive and non-additive fixatives, enzyme histochemistry, frozen sections, in-situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry techniques.
• Familiarity with various microscopy types: brightfield, dark field, Nomarski, phase contrast, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
• Advanced embedding and microtomy skills including gelatin/adhesive media and precision microtomy.
• Advanced staining skills including carbohydrate and amyloid stains, connective and muscle stains, cytoplasmic stains, differentiation stains, Giemsa, IHC staining, nuclear stains, PAS stain, and special stains.
• Mounting procedures knowledge including aqueous, coverslip, refractive index, and resinous mounting.
• Experience with 24-hour urine specimens.
• ASCP-HTL certification is preferred.
• Preferred experience with Leica Peloris Tissue Processor, Tissue Tek VIP Tissue Processor, and Tissue Tek Prisma H&E Stainer.
• Familiarity with EPIC system is preferred.

Orientation and Start Details

• Orientation includes 2.75 hours online and 8 hours in person.
• Hospital orientation occurs during the first week; candidates must be available for classes each day.
• Start date is subject to change based on class and trainer availability; travelers must be fully available with no other commitments during orientation week.
• Missing any portion of orientation may delay or cancel the start.

Patient Population

• Preferred (not required) experience with neonates, infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.

Required Documentation and Compliance

• Background check within 6 months for clinical candidates.
• Drug testing (9 panel) within 6 months of start.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year of start; if past positive TB, additional documentation required.
• Required immunizations or titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella.
• Photo ID (passport or driver’s license) required.
• Various facility-specific documents including confidentiality agreement, medication safety training, annual compliance training, and others must be completed prior to start.
• Candidates must complete required education modules and competency exams as applicable.
• Flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season.

Additional Notes

• No prior travel experience required.
• Locals are accepted.
• No call or float requirements.
• Target workload: approximately 500 blocks processed per night.

This position is ideal for a histology technician with solid hospital lab experience, immunohistochemistry skills, and ASCP-HT certification seeking a 13-week travel contract with a consistent night shift schedule.