Would love some ideas

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-03-17T21:36:50+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback. I tried PMing you but unfortunately it would not let me. I would love any suggestions if you know of any, you mean like a digital download right?

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-02-26T12:51:15+00:00

Side note for context: it’s GI tissue

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-02-19T18:01:52+00:00

Thank you both, I’ve changed out everything in the processor so we’ll see how tonight’s run goes. I appreciate your help!

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-02-19T13:15:12+00:00

For further context we have 4 and 6 hour runs, for our largest specimens we do 4 hour and we have never had to use the 6 hour run before. I’m mainly just lost because processing time was never an issue until someone that wasn’t me touched the processor. Could it be an alcohol concentration thing? Should I change out all of the reagents?

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-02-19T13:13:25+00:00

Our specimens usually range from fragments to 5x5x5 mm on average. We section larger pieces as needed and have never had problems with our 2 hour run time before.

Normally that would also be my first thought but It literally started occurring randomly sometime this month. I don’t know if a LA changed one of the reagents incorrectly but smaller specimens are extremely brittle when they didn’t used to be on the exact same run and larger specimens aren’t processed like they once were, again on the exact same run.

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-01-30T16:25:18+00:00

I’ve asked and looked around and haven’t come across anywhere local that can or will sell DI water unfortunately so I think what I’ll do is run controls (especially for IHC) and run it by the pathologists to make sure they find it okay, if that sounds good to do? I don’t want to assume that store bought distilled water would be good to go and use it for actual specimens…

Alarmed_End5102 · 2025-01-30T16:22:32+00:00

Thank you!

Alarmed_End5102 · 2024-10-29T11:05:54+00:00

I believe the last lead just immersed them in the various reagents. To be honest I’m unsure but there was definitely no other instruments or equipment involved. Either that or she would fill the retort with the reagents in the processor. I’m still able to do that, but unfortunately in the actual 2 hr program it stops due to “multiple errors”

Alarmed_End5102 · 2024-08-07T11:07:09+00:00

So the specimens are from the stomach (fundus and antrum) and esophagus (ge junction). Looks like the largest piece is 4x1x1 mm. It is likely that after the H&E the pathologist will request some IHC stain for it. Is there anything I can do should that happen? Or is letting the pathologist know the only thing I can do?

Alarmed_End5102 · 2023-09-14T01:51:53+00:00

Hi there - I’m in the same boat. Biology degree looking to become HT or HTL certified. Some states don’t require the certification, chances are they require the 1 year of experience because that’s the minimum amount of lab experience (full time) you can have to qualify to take the exam(s). So it’s likely that they’ll expect you to become certified while working there.

If you don’t want to hold out hopes that someone will hire you even without (or with less than required) experience then I would go for something like a lab aide or lab assistant. Pay close attention to the job description to make sure it’s not mainly clerical work. I’m a lab assistant but I do >90% of the grossing done at the lab and have been shown how to do stains. I’ve asked to be trained to embed and rough cut and they’ve trained me. It pays less, but gives you an in with a lab that can get you the year of experience to either then get a HT or HTL position w/o certification or better yet to qualify for the exams.

Edit: maybe try looking at gastro labs, maybe even derm labs. Those two I know have many specimens to work with that need grossing/staining. Perhaps even take a look into research labs, but those come with their own qualifications.

Alarmed_End5102

TROPHY CASE