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Histology Associate

Tempus AI · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you asked for help because you weren't sure about something. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they are comfortable going to a lead when unsure, which this role explicitly expects.

How have you used a computer system to log or track your work, and how do you make sure your entries are accurate?

What they are checking: Whether they keep LIMS records current and correct, since the record is part of the result.

Tell me about a job where you did the same task many times a day. How did you stay sharp?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay consistent and focused through repetitive, detail-heavy work.

What would you do

You notice the stainer is producing slides that look off. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report instrument problems quickly instead of continuing to run patient samples.

The team has a daily cutting and staining deadline and you're running behind. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up early about time pressure instead of rushing and risking quality.

A pathologist says a section you cut isn't usable for diagnosis. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they take feedback from pathologists calmly and use it to improve rather than getting defensive.

You realize you may have mislabeled a slide earlier in the shift. Nobody else has noticed. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report a possible error immediately, which protects patients and earns trust in a clinical lab.

About the work

Tell me what you know about sectioning tissue on a microtome, including block orientation and knife angle.

What they are checking: Whether they have a real starting point for cutting skills or a clear sense of what they will need to learn.

How would you make sure a slide never ends up with the wrong patient's label?

What they are checking: Whether they treat specimen identification as the most important step, since a mix-up can change a cancer diagnosis.

What safety rules matter most around sharp blades, chemicals like xylene and formalin, and hot paraffin?

What they are checking: Whether they know the real hazards in a histology lab and respect them every day.

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The full job description

As published by Tempus AI.

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry? Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus' proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time. What You’ll Do: • Approach work with safety and diligence and follow safety requirements of the laboratory • Perform routine histology lab assistant workflows without specific guidance • Track work completed using a custom Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) • Work collaboratively with other members of the Histology team to accomplish daily cutting and staining deadlines • Communicate effectively with pathologists, members of the histology team, and other associated teams as relates to workflow needs • Seek assistance from the lead, supervisor, and/or manager when questions, problems or mistakes arise • Report issues with instrumentation, samples, or the lab itself in a timely manner • Learn: • how to determine appropriate block orientation and alignment, knife angles, and settings to obtain representative sections • the skills needed to maintain specimen integrity through proper identification of samples, slides and folders • the skills needed to utilize a microtome, water bath, automated stainer, automated cover slipper, tissue processor, and embedding center • the skills to cut frozen sections using a cryostat, and stain samples for pathologists to review • to maintain laboratory equipment and record maintenance regularly • By the end of training intervals - reliably produce quality finished products Qualifications: • Experience as a Histology Assistant at Tempus preferred • An Associate’s degree preferred or minimum 60 semester hours with at least 12 hours in Biology and Chemistry • Knowledge of CAP regulations preferred • Experience with laboratory SOPs and protocols preferred • Comfort with laboratory safety and training • Demonstrates problem solving skills in the laboratory • Good communication and organization skills • Positive attitude and willingness to learn Precautions : • Job responsibilities include Xylene exposure. This exposure is monitored and kept within recommended guidelines. Individuals with respiratory conditions may need additional PPE. Hourly Rate: $27.00/hour The expected salary range may vary for other locations. Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience. Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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