Digital Pathology Technician
Long Island City, NY
Full Time
Entry Level
The Digital Pathology Technician supports HistoWiz's high-throughput histology operations by producing high-quality Whole Slide Images (WSIs) from glass slides while maintaining accurate organization and traceability of archived histology materials. This role is responsible for operating digital pathology scanners, reviewing image quality, managing digital image files, and maintaining the DreamPath paraffin block storage system to support recuts, additional staining, quality control, and client requests. Success in this role requires exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to consistently meet quality and turnaround time expectations in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
Responsibilities
Digital Pathology Operations
- Operate whole-slide scanners (Leica Aperio AT2, GT450 DX, and Pramana HT) to generate high-resolution Whole Slide Images (WSIs) at 40x magnification.
- Perform daily scanner startup, calibration, preventive maintenance, and maintain equipment logs.
- Load and prepare slides for scanning, ensuring proper orientation, cleanliness, and dryness.
- Configure scan parameters, including scan regions and focus points, to capture complete tissue sections.
- Monitor multiple scanners simultaneously to maximize productivity.
- Troubleshoot routine scanner issues and escalate equipment problems when necessary.
Image Quality Control
- Review digital images to verify image quality, focus, completeness, and accurate tissue capture.
- Re-scan slides when image quality does not meet laboratory standards.
- Identify and resolve common scanning issues including:
- Out-of-focus images
- Missed tissue
- Barcode recognition failures
- Scan artifacts
- Ensure digital images meet HistoWiz quality standards before release.
Digital File Management
- Verify slide labels and barcode accuracy.
- Correct file naming discrepancies when barcode recognition fails.
- Organize image uploads into laboratory information systems and cloud storage platforms.
- Maintain complete traceability between physical specimens and digital images.
- Protect image integrity through accurate data management practices.
DreamPath Block Storage Management
- Maintain the DreamPath paraffin block storage room in a clean, organized, and efficient manner.
- Accurately file archived paraffin blocks according to laboratory procedures and storage locations.
- Retrieve paraffin blocks for:
- Recuts
- Additional H&E sections
- Special stains
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
- Multiplex IF
- Quality Control (QC)
- Pathologist review
- Client requests
- Return all paraffin blocks to their designated storage locations after use.
- Maintain accurate block traceability within the DreamPath system.
- Assist with routine audits of paraffin block inventory to ensure organization and accuracy.
- Communicate promptly with Histology, IHC, Digital Pathology, and Quality teams regarding block retrieval requests to support turnaround times.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree in Biology, Laboratory Science, or a related field preferred.
- Strong computer proficiency and ability to learn laboratory software systems.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced production laboratory.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with laboratory teams.
- Previous laboratory, histology, pathology, or digital imaging experience.
- Experience operating digital pathology or microscopy imaging systems.
- Experience working in a CLIA, CAP, GLP, or regulated laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Manual dexterity required to handle delicate glass slides and laboratory materials.
- Ability to distinguish fine visual details during image quality review.
- Ability to work safely around laboratory equipment and chemicals while wearing required PPE.
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