Job Description
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17219
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 11:59 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 100
Position Description About Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences: Mission The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
* To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
* To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.
* Brief Histology Technician Overview : The Histology Technician is responsible for preparing microscopic slides for analysis by Forensic Pathologists.
Duties & Responsibilities: - Prepares stained slides of tissue samples as requested by Assistant Medical Examiners in a carefully controlled environment
- Prepares paraffin blocks of tissue for long-term storage; assures that blocks are labeled in accordance with Histology Laboratory protocols
- Retrieves, transports, stores and disposes of blocks, slides, specimens and paperwork according to histology laboratory procedures
- Handles communication internally between pathologists and the histology personnel to ensure all requests and inquiries are handled in a timely manner and responds to external requests to retain, release, or prepare specimens in accordance with histology laboratory procedures.
- Maintains log of tissue samples entering the histology lab and completes the histology laboratory electronic case file and uses this information to compile monthly statistical reports.
- Delivers tissue slides to the assigned Assistant Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, or the Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner on a timely basis.
- Mentors and assists training of interns, students and others during their training period in the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) Histology Laboratory
- Other duties as assigned.
- This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.
- Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Requirements Education: - Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 college hours) and current enrollment in or completion of Histotechnology or Histotechnician program that is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Experience: - Previous experience in the use of microtomes, automatic stainer, automatic slide and coverslippers, tissue processors and manual staining and coverslipping processes
Licensure: - Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists as a Histotechnician within one year of employment
- Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's License to facilitate transport of off-site supplies/samples
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Must be capable of understanding and adhering to strict protocols for the handling and storage of tissue samples, glass slides and blocks
- Knowledge of histology laboratory safety rules and procedures is essential
- Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers to assure that protocols are rigidly observed and assure the highest standards of casework
- Basic computer skills to include Microsoft Office applications
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but
ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. Preferences Experience: - Previous experience in a Histology Laboratory where duties included production of slide stains and preservation of tissue samples
General Information Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work: - Full time | Regular | 40 hours/ week
- Rotating weekends, occasional holidays and overtime
Physical Demands: - Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs
- May require long periods of standing, walking, stooping and bending
Location: - Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
1861 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, TX 77054
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department. HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered
only to Harris County employees in
regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in
full-time and select
part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: 01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
- High School or GED diploma
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's or Graduate Degree
- Doctorate or Professional Degree
- None of the above
02
Have you completed at lease sixty (60) college credit hours?
03
Have you completed a Histotechnology or Histotechnician program that is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences?
- Yes
- No, currently enrolled
- N/A; No I have not completed a Histotechnology or Histotechnician program
04
Are you currently certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists as a Histotechnician? If not, do you have the ability to become certified within one year of employment?
- Yes, I am currently certified as a Histotechnician
- No, I am not certified but understand I must obtain certification within one year of employment
- No, I'm not interested
05
Which of the following do you have working knowledge of and/or experience with?(Select all that apply.)
- Microtomes
- Automatic Stainer
- Automatic Slide
- Coverslipping
- Tissue Processors
- Manual Staining
- I do not possess this knowledge/understanding
06
Do you have previous experience in a Histology Laboratory where duties included production of slide stains and preservation of tissue samples?
07
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.
- Advanced
- Intermediate
- Basic
- Entry Level
- Not proficient
08
This position requires possession of a valid Texas-issued driver's license. Do you meet the above requirement?(Please be sure to include all related details in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)
- Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
- Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
- No, I'm not interested
Required Question
Job Tags
Full time, Part time, Flexible hours