IHC Technician

The IHC Technician (certified) performs the various tasks required for receiving, processing, and preparing patient tissue specimens for immunohistochemical staining and microscopic examination. This role serves as an advanced technical resource within the department, demonstrating strong technical expertise, assay knowledge, and quality-focused decision-making while supporting training, troubleshooting, and process improvement activities. The position maintains independent responsibility for testing operations while contributing to departmental quality and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Perform microtomy and staining of tissue samples using manual and automated techniques to produce high-quality slide for microscopic evaluation
• Independently perform routine and complex immunohistochemistry laboratory procedures with advanced technical proficiency
• Serve as a technical resource for staining procedures, workflow questions, and laboratory best practices
• Assist with troubleshooting staining, quality control, reagent, and instrumentation issues
• Support investigation and documentation of quality concerns and corrective actions
• Monitor quality control trends and assist in identifying opportunities for quality improvement
• Assist with validation and implementation of new antibodies, stains, procedures, or workflow enhancements
• Support CAP, CLIA, and regulatory inspection readiness activities
• Assist with training, onboarding, and competency development of staff (non-supervisory)
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of staining principles, assay performance, and technical workflow optimization
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and workflow efficiency efforts
• Support reagent inventory monitoring and supply utilization activities
• Maintain strong productivity, quality, and documentation standards
• Serve as a reliable departmental resource and support operational continuity
• Adhere to all laboratory policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Perform additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Histotechnician program within the last five years

OR

• 60 Semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include both), which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the associate degree AND 1 full year of full time acceptable clinical experience in a histopathology laboratory within the last five years OR one year of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in histopathology laboratory in the US or Canada within he last five years OR completion of a two-part structured histology program of at least nine months that include both classroom (didactic) training and a minimum od 480 hours of acceptable clinical experience in a histopathology laboratory within the last 5 years.

OR

• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), OR an associate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university, with a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both), which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the associate degree, AND successful completion of a 50 week U.S. military histotechnician training course within the last ten years.

Certification:

• Certification as a Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Certification must be current and in good standing