Description
Lead and manage a histology laboratory, applying expertise in tissue processing and disease to validate and implement techniques and procedures. Direct high-quality slide preparation for pathologist diagnosis while ensuring compliance, quality, safety, and efficient operations. Troubleshoot complex technical and instrument issues, manage staff and resources, and support clinical and research initiatives.
- • Manage daily histology lab operations, staffing, and workflow.
- • Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs, quality systems, and safety practices.
- • Oversee validation, implementation, and optimization of new techniques and instrumentation.
- • Verify preventive maintenance, calibration, and performance checks per schedule and regulations.
- • Lead troubleshooting and coordinate vendor service for laboratory instruments and equipment.
- • Supervise tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, and slide preparation for diagnostic use.
- • Monitor slide quality; review QC slides and resolve preparation issues.
- • Direct staining operations (H&E, special stains, IHC/IF); manage reagent prep, lot-to-lot, and inventory.
- • Ensure testing follows pathologist orders, prioritization, and turnaround-time goals.
- • Coordinate timely distribution of slides, requisitions, and documentation to pathologists.
- • Manage advanced modalities (e.g., immunostainers, decalcification, EM or mass spectrometry) and staff competency.
- • Compile and analyze quality metrics; implement corrective and preventive actions.
- • Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, and OSHA standards; prepare for inspections and audits.
- • Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate staff; maintain competencies and continuing education.
- • Oversee specimen tracking, LIS workflows, and documentation for diagnostic, teaching, and research use.
- • Manage inventory, purchasing, and budget for supplies and reagents.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Healthcare & Human Services
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026