Histology Tech

Where You’ll Work

Founded in 1910, Dignity Health - Mercy Hospital is a 229-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Bakersfield, California. Serving nearly 90,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including Level II NICU, cancer care, women’s health, and orthopedics. Additionally, Mercy Hospital Downtown & Mercy Hospital Southwest have been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. They are both Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Centers. Mercy Hospital Downtown offers the only inpatient Oncology Unit in Bakersfield while Mercy Hospital Southwest has the only Obstetric Emergency Department in Bakersfield.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Histotechnician, you will prepare human tissue for microscopic investigation and analysis by pathologists, including sectioning, treatment, slide placement, drying, and staining.

• Administrative Duties 
  • Performs monitoring and reordering of supplies; orders all special reagents/solutions and equipment necessary to develop new procedures.
  • Answers telephone inquiries regarding pathology matters and takes appropriate action.
• Specimen Processing
  • Verification of corresponding patient information on requisitions and specimen containers; picks up and delivers specimens from clinical laboratory or other areas to pathology laboratory as needed; assign appropriate specimen number according to type of specimen and enter accurate information in computer; properly labels requisitions, specimen containers and cassettes with assigned specimen number.
  • Records descriptive identification, weight and instruments of gross specimens on requisition and in computer.
• Quality Control and Maintenance
  • Maintains clean work area and instruments.
  • Prepares and provides fixative solutions and containers to other departments upon request (i.e. surgery, endoscopy).

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• One (1) year of clinical laboratory experience including knowledge of instrument operation, specimen processing, knowledge of specimen send-outs, and/or microbiology specimen processing.

• Two (2) years of training in a Histology Lab under direct supervision of a Histotech required.

Special Skills:

• Basic laboratory bench practice skills Working knowledge of medical terminology
• General typing/computer skills Must demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills
• Must have the ability to read, write and speak English
• Ability to adapt to work load demands and remain calm and function efficiently during difficult or emergency situations
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Preferred/Desired Experience:

• Five years of clinical laboratory experience or two years of college preferred
• AA degree
• California State License CPT I