Histologist - Pathological Lab

Description

Under the direction of a Pathologist, the Histologist prepares autopsy and surgical material for microscopic examination by the Pathologist, and maintains the tissue labor and equipment necessary for this operation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This technical class differs from the Laboratory Technologist in that a State clinical laboratory technologist license is not required.

WHAT WE OFFER:

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position may also be eligible for the following:

• Market Based Premium Pay (MBPP) - Regular, full-time employees in this classification shall be paid the additional hourly pay of $3.00/hour.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69/hour (Level I), $1.00/hour (Level II), or $1.32/hour (Level III).
• Merit Increases - New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Standby Premium Pay - 1/4 of regular hourly wage or Federal minimum wage (whichever is greater)
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(K) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(K) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis.
• Health Plans - you are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participate in the County's defined benefit pension plan that provides lifetime payments to retirees. Members are "vested" after attaining five years of retirement service credit. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.
• To learn more about the benefits, please follow the link below: https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/MOA/docs/SEIU_MOA_2022-2025.pdf

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center (VMCM)

Histologist is represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There are currently two (2) Regular, Full-Time vacancies and two (2) Intermittent vacancies.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 08/08/2025
CLOSING DATE: 08/15/2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Prepares surgical material and anatomical tissue for microscopic study, prepares tissue portions for embedding in paraffin blocks, cuts microscopic sections from tissue blocks with a microtome, stains the slide mounted strips of tissue, examines samples of the stained slides to ascertain that the results are satisfactory, prepares fixing and staining solutions, prepares and stains cytology specimens, and attends at rapid frozen section examinations using the cryostat microtome;
• Prepares and maintains accurate records, work load reports, files, and other documentation/records;
• Cleans and maintains work area, equipment, and instruments; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and ensure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of training in a recognized Histology laboratory, under the direction of a Pathologist..

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have and maintain a current valid Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross by the time of hire.

DESIRED:

• Eligibility for, or possession of, a certificate in Histology issued by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
• Familiarity with anatomic pathology laboratory information systems (e.g. Cerner)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• biology, anatomy, and chemistry in order to possess an understanding of the fundamental aspects of histochemical, special staining, and other related histological procedures; and
• laboratory procedures; equipment; and, safety practices.
  

Demonstrated skill in:

• utilization of laboratory instruments, equipment, and materials used in a histology laboratory;
• utilization of computer systems used to input specimens, generate slides and labels, record work flow, and enter billing information.

Ability to:

• perform histological testing under the direction of a pathologist;
• prepare and maintain accurate documentation;
• carry out written and verbal instructions;
• perform routine lab and equipment maintenance functions;
• work independently;
• communicate effectively;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at https://hr.ventura.org . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 677-5184 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources - Health Care Agency, 646 County Square, Ventura, CA 93003.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documentation may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application and supplemental questionnaire.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of Equipment, Stains and Techniques, Surgical Material and Anatomical Tissue. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Vivian Merida via email at Vivian.Merida@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 677-5231.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ,UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: 8/15/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• County of Ventura

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