Histology Technician I

Job description

Agency

Department

Our Commitment   

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

Who we are 

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is an institution that represents 100 years of growth from a small school of veterinary medicine in 1916 to its present role as a major veterinary educational, medical, and research center. Today, we are one of the largest schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, training nearly 600 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students each year. We support collaboration and teamwork that turns today's discoveries into proactive solutions for animals, humans, and the environment. Together, we strive to support the goals of the faculty, staff and students in teaching, research and outreach programs.   

What we want

The IHC/IFC Technician I will focus mainly on advanced immunohistochemistry, which includes optimizing complex protocols, validating antibodies, and staining slides for diagnostic and research cases. This position will cross train in the diagnostic histology lab to handle routine tasks like receiving, processing, and preparing tissue specimens for Pathologist review. This role combines core histology processes such as embedding, microtomy, and routine staining with specialized automated and manual IHC and IFC techniques. In addition, the technician helps with quality control, equipment maintenance, and supporting student workers and other techs.

What you need to know

• Salary: $18/hour

• Schedule/Location: Full-time | College Station, TX

• Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.   

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma.

• Two years of experience in laboratory work or related areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years of related laboratory experience including microtomy, tissue processing, and basic IHC/IFC staining techniques.

• HT (ASCP), HTL (ASCP), or equivalent certification.

• Experience with antibody optimization, image analysis/fluorescence microscopy, automated IHC stainers, and digital scanning software.

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific field.

• Working knowledge of histology related equipment and procedures.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of tissue processing, antigen retrieval, sectioning, and staining techniques.

• Ability to troubleshoot routine equipment and staining artifacts.

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize daily task workflows under deadlines.

• Customer-service oriented with strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with pathologists, residents, and lab personnel.

Responsibilities

IHC / IFC & Protocol Optimization

• Performs manual and automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IFC) staining protocols on tissue sections.

• Assists with testing, validating new antibodies, and optimizing protocol parameters for veterinary diagnostic and research needs.

• Assists in maintaining procedural logs, updating laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and documenting antibody cross-reactivity and specs.

Histology Operations & Specimen Processing

• Receives tissue specimens for clinical/diagnostic cases; sorts and prioritizes tissues based on urgency and lab standards.

• Operates tissue processing instrumentation for dehydration, clearing, and paraffin infiltration. Sorts and embeds tissue specimens into paraffin blocks.

• Performs microtomy (cutting tissue sections via microtome) for FFPE tissue. Mounts and performs routine staining (automated and manual) and coverslipping.

• Plans and prepares solutions required for special staining procedures.

Quality Control, Equipment, & Inventory

• Evaluates and QC-checks slides prior to delivering cases to Pathologists and residents to ensure high-quality sectioning and staining.

• Performs routine maintenance, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting on lab instrumentation (microtomes, tissue processors, embedding units, auto-stainers, and solvent recyclers). Records output and calibration logs.

• Monitors inventory levels of reagents, chemicals, and lab supplies. Uses laboratory tracking systems to place reorders to ensure uninterrupted workflow.

Digital Slide Scanning & Imaging

• Operates and maintains digital slide scanners to capture high-resolution images for diagnostic review.

• Ensures proper file naming, quality assessment of scanned images, and upload to digital image repositories.

Communication & Collaborative Support

• Communicates with Pathologists and residents regarding slide/block checkouts, special requests, submission status, and completed cases.

• Assists with training student workers on routine lab techniques and IHC/IFC safety protocols.

Additional Information

Machines or equipment used in the performance of essential duties

• Microtome

• Tissue Embedder

• Tissue Stainers

• Tissue Processor

• Slide Coverslipper

• Tissue Water Bath

• Solvent Recycler

• Computer main

• Computer tablet

• Telephone

• Paraffin block trimmer

• Decalcification tissue rocker

Physical Requirements

• Must have spatial ability to perceive three-dimensional and geometric relationships when embedding tissue and when cutting paraffin blocks.

• Finger dexterity is required to manipulate the micro-thin tissue sections and to mount onto microscope slides.

• Color discrimination is required to verify diagnostic quality of staining processes in order that essential features of tissue sections can be properly defined.

• Lifting/moving Requirements = Medium – generally not lifting/moving objects of more than medium weights; frequently lifts/moves/carries objects of light weights.

• Must be comfortable working with hazardous chemicals, including known carcinogens, in strict accordance with lab safety policies.

Other Requirements and Factors

• Rotating holiday coverage is required.

• This position is security sensitive.

• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.

• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.

• Will be working with hazardous chemicals. Must use PPE when handling chemicals and making solutions.

• This position may direct and/or evaluate the work of others.

• This position may require work on University holidays.

• This position may require work on University holidays, normal office hours and/or work on weekends.

Why Texas A&M University?   

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.   

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered, or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.