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Histology Technician

Advocate Health · Rosemont, IL · $25.30–$42.85 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 25, 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 troubleshot a tissue processor or microtome.

What they are checking: Whether they can fix and maintain equipment, which keeps the lab running.

This is a Tuesday through Saturday day shift starting at 6 a.m. How does that fit your schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to the lab's schedule, including Saturdays.

What would you do

A quality control result is out of range. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and take corrective action instead of releasing questionable slides.

How do you manage recuts, special stains and send-outs when the workload is heavy at the central lab?

What they are checking: Whether they can organize a high-volume workflow and keep track of every request.

You realize you may have mislabeled a slide. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report errors honestly and right away, since patient diagnosis depends on it.

About the work

Walk me through how you embed and section tissue to get quality slides.

What they are checking: Whether they have solid hands-on skills in embedding and microtomy, the core of the job.

How do you make sure every specimen is correctly accessioned and labeled?

What they are checking: Whether they treat specimen identification as critical, since a mix-up can lead to a wrong diagnosis.

What special stains and immunohistochemistry have you performed, and how do you check the controls?

What they are checking: Whether they have IHC experience and understand that controls prove a stain worked.

Have you assisted pathologists during frozen sections? What's your role?

What they are checking: Whether they can work quickly and accurately when a surgeon is waiting on a result.

Do you hold an HT certification from ASCP, and how do you stay current?

What they are checking: Whether they have the credentials and ongoing learning to meet lab standards.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 60348 IL ACL Laboratories - IL Central Lab: Histology Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Full-time day shift hours working every Tuesday - Saturday from 06:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Pay Range: $25.30 - $42.85 Major Responsibilities: • Ensures specimens are properly accessioned, labeled, and suitable for testing. Cuts quality tissue sections with proper thickness as determined by tissue type and places properly on glass slides. • Embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Maintains a filing system for paraffin tissue blocks, slides and wet tissue. • Processes tissue using processors to ensure full preservation and infiltration by paraffin. • Performs routine and special stains, immunohistochemistry, cover slipping, verification, and distribution of slides. • Retrieves and prints computer logs. Manages daily workflow for recuts, special stains, immunohistochemistry, control slides, and send-outs according to established protocols. • Performs and documents quality control. Evaluates quality control results and takes corrective action under the guidance of key operators, technical specialists or supervisor. • Performs and documents cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of instruments and equipment. • Assists pathologists during frozen section procedures. • Ensures compliance with all accrediting agency standards. • Provides assistance to pathologists, externs, and other team members. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Histotechnician (HT) certification issued by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC). Education Required: • Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Biology or related field. Experience Required: • No experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Knowledge of human anatomy. • Must be detail oriented and have good organizational and communication skills. • Must know how to safely handle sharp instruments. • Proficient computer skills. • Must be able to problem solve. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Sits and stands the majority of the workday as well as walks, lifts, squats, bends and twists throughout. • Frequently lifts up to 10 lbs. Will occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbs. • May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, radioactive and infectious agents. • Will be exposed to human blood, body fluids and tissue. • Must wear appropriate lab coat, gloves, gowns and eye and face protection as needed. • Must be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner. • May require travel, therefore may be exposed to inclement weather and adverse road conditions. • Good manual dexterity. • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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