Laboratory Technician – Histopathology at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Laboratory Technician – Histopathology will provide essential technical support in preparing, processing, and analysing tissue specimens for diagnostic, research, and teaching purposes. The role holder will play a critical role in ensuring accurate and timely delivery of diagnostic results by supporting pathologists with high-quality slide preparation. This position demands technical precision, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to laboratory quality standards, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Specimen Reception and Documentation

• Receive, verify, and log specimens according to established protocols.
• Accurately label and assign unique identifiers to ensure traceability.
• Maintain detailed specimen records, ensuring integrity and compliance.

Tissue Processing

• Perform gross tissue processing, trimming, and embedding in paraffin or other media.
• Operate and maintain tissue processors for dehydration, clearing, and infiltration.
• Ensure correct orientation of specimens during embedding for optimal diagnostic quality.

Staining Procedures

• Carry out routine haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of tissue sections.
• Perform special stains (e.g., PAS, Masson’s trichrome, Giemsa) as required.
• Apply advanced techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) to support diagnosis and research.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments, including microtomes, cryostats, tissue processors, and stainers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues promptly.
• Maintain accurate equipment logs and report malfunctions.

Quality Control and Assurance

• Adhere to laboratory QC standards for accurate and reproducible results.
• Perform periodic checks on reagents, stains, and equipment.
• Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes to uphold accreditation.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow laboratory safety guidelines for handling chemicals and biological materials.
• Dispose of hazardous waste in accordance with regulations.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.

Recordkeeping and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of specimens, staining protocols, and equipment usage.
• Support pathologists by producing high-quality histological slides for diagnosis.
• Enter data accurately into Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or a related field.
• Certification as a Histotechnologist (HT) or equivalent is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of histopathology principles, tissue processing, and staining.
• High manual dexterity and fine motor skills for precise tissue sectioning.

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in histopathology.
• Proficiency in histopathological techniques, including special stains, IHC, and electron microscopy
• Sound knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and disease processes.
• Familiarity with laboratory quality assurance and safety protocols.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
• Proficiency in handling laboratory equipment (e.g., microtomes, embedding stations, stainers).