Lab Tech - Histology Technician

Position Details: Industry: Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Job Title: Lab Tech III (Histology Technician III) Duration: 2–3 Months Contract (Leave of Absence Coverage; Possible Extension Based on Business Needs and Budget) Location: Branchburg, NJ 08876 Shift: Monday–Friday | 8 Hours per Day | 100% Onsite Pay Rate: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour Job Description Position Summary The Histology Technician III is responsible for proficiently performing routine histology technique and employing Good Documentation Practices (GDPs) in recordkeeping to support Quality Control Product Release Testing. This includes but is not limited to all aspects of routine histology, such as sample receipt and accessioning, initial sample preparation (e.g., rehydration, rinsing, generating labels, etc.), standard grossing and observations, fixation, paraffin embedding, cryo-embedding, paraffin microtomy and cryo-microtomy. Depending on skillset and training, may include Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining. The Histology Technician III may also perform some aspects of histology testing of donor biopsies, explants, fresh, in-process, or final product samples for Tissue Services, Complaints, and Research & Development (R&D) as instructed and assigned, as well as histochemical stains per skillset and training. Solution preparation, supply management, maintenance and operation of laboratory equipment, instruments, and workstations is expected. Compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), cGxP requirements, laboratory safety procedures, and maintenance of department databases/files are required. The Histology Technician III is expected to support continuous improvement efforts and the Quality Management System. Education Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Biology or related Life Sciences. Minimum: Associate degree with sufficient biology coursework to qualify for Histology Technician (HT) certification eligibility. Strongly Preferred: Histology Technician (HT) Certification or eligibility. Preferred: 5–10+ years of hands-on histology laboratory experience. Candidates with 2–5 years of strong hands-on histology experience and HT Certification (or eligibility) will also be considered. Technical capability and practical laboratory production experience are more important than years of experience alone. Candidates with Master's or PhD degrees must have extensive hands-on histology, high-volume embedding and microtomy experience, and practical laboratory production experience. Candidates with only academic or research-based histology experience are not a fit. Required Skills Cryo Embedding Cryostat Sectioning Paraffin Embedding Paraffin Microtomy Histology Sample Accessioning Tissue Processing Grossing Good Documentation Practices (GDP) cGxP SOP Compliance Sample Traceability Histology Laboratory Equipment Operation Quality Control Laboratory Experience Histology Technician (HT) Certification or Eligibility Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) Staining SAP Microsoft Excel Inventory Management High-Volume Histology Laboratory Experience Clinical, Tissue Services, Complaints, or R&D Sample Handling Key Responsibilities Receive tissue samples from production; receive, catalogue, and accession specimens. Enter samples into SAP and maintain sample tracking in Excel spreadsheets. Perform tissue preparation including rehydration of freeze-dried tissue samples, rinsing of "ready to use" tissue samples, record observations, and take digital images of gross specimens/test tissue. Perform specimen grossing, fixation/preservation, tissue processing, paraffin embedding, cryo-embedding, paraffin microtomy, cryo-microtomy (cryostat sectioning), and H&E staining (as assigned). Load and unload tissue processors. Prepare and maintain accurate specimen identification throughout the Histology testing process (specimen containers, cryo vials, cassettes, blocks, slides, images, department databases, laboratory records, and logbooks). Perform block/slide verifications. Maintain systematic filing of paraffin blocks and slides while ensuring sample traceability and archived material management. Operate standard and histology laboratory equipment. Receive and verify incoming laboratory supplies. Label chemicals and support inventory management according to SOPs. Assist with gross dictation, measurements, and imaging of clinical samples; support Tissue Services, Complaints, Research & Development (R&D), and Clinical studies as assigned. Comply with cGxP, GDP, SOPs, and laboratory safety procedures when entering data into workflow spreadsheets, databases, and controlled logbooks. Become a qualified peer reviewer of lab records for all phases of routine histology and ensure lab records and logbooks are reviewed and retained. Demonstrate proficient histological technique and recordkeeping to internal/external auditors, management, and new and cross-functional employees. Support continuous improvement efforts and the Quality Management System. Technical Environment Position reports into the Quality Control (QC) Histology Lab. Candidates will receive training on site-specific SOPs and processes but must already possess strong histology fundamentals and be able to contribute with minimal ramp-up. Cryo sectioning is a significant part of the role and occurs at a similar or higher volume than paraffin sectioning. Uses a flash-freezing system instead of liquid nitrogen for cryo embedding. Tissue characteristics differ from traditional hospital settings and require specialized sectioning techniques. Extensive SOP review and ComplianceWire training are required during onboarding. Benefits: The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, (paid time , paid sick and safe time , hours of paid vacation time, weeks of paid parental leave, paid holidays annually – These all are subject to applicable eligibility).