Kristyn Pittenger
San Diego
Summary
Histotechnologist skilled in laboratory safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to enhance specimen processing efficiency and mentor junior staff, ensuring high-quality outcomes in rapid diagnostics.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Histotechnologist
Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group
10.2009 - Current
- Support rapid diagnosis of skin excisions received from multiple outpatient departments, including ENT, dermatology, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery (average of 30 patients each week).
- Prepare specimens for frozen sectioning via gross examination using ink mapping to preserve accurate orientation and margin visibility.
- Provide high-quality slides to pathologists and Mohs surgeons using cryotomy and H&E staining while maintaining such quality metrics as low recut rate.
- Generate slides within expected turn-around time of 15-20 minutes per stage.
- Review slides for quality control prior to sending to pathologists or Mohs surgeons.
- Collaborate with pathologists to optimize workflow and improve turnaround times.
- Mentor junior staff on histology techniques and laboratory best practices.
- Implement process improvements that enhanced specimen processing efficiency by reducing errors.
- Conduct routine maintenance on laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance and compliance.
- Develop training materials for new hires, fostering a knowledgeable workforce in histotechnology practices.
- Play an active role in troubleshooting equipment issues as they arose, minimizing downtime while maximizing resource utilization within the lab setting.
- Coordinate preparation of lab for inspection by accrediting agencies in accordance with CLIA regulations.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes through precise tissue evaluation.
- Maintain a safe working environment through strict adherence to safety guidelines, including proper disposal of hazardous materials.
- Play an active role in troubleshooting equipment issues as they arose, minimizing downtime while maximizing resource utilization within the lab setting.
- Monitor inventory levels of supplies, equipment, and reagents used and place orders for replacements.
Histotechnician
Sharp Healthcare
09.2002 - 10.2009
- Performed tissue preparation and processing for accurate histological analysis.
- Dictated and grossed tissue samples obtained from the hospital operating room, emergency room, and physicians' offices.
- Operated microtomes and embedding centers to produce high-quality tissue sections.
- Provided high-quality frozen sections to pathologists to support rapid diagnosis of a wide variety of specimen types from the operating room.
- Ensured high-quality H&E staining, special staining, and immunohistochemistry.
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure specimen integrity and compliance with protocols.
- Coordinate preparation of lab for inspection by accrediting agencies, such as the College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission.
- Trained new staff on laboratory procedures, equipment usage, and safety guidelines.
- Maintained laboratory equipment, ensuring optimal functioning and adherence to maintenance schedules.
- Conducted periodic audits of laboratory practices to identify areas for improvement, leading to increased overall performance rates.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by streamlining histology processes and implementing quality control measures.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to obtain necessary information for proper specimen handling and processing.
- Monitored inventory levels of supplies, equipment, and reagents used and placed orders for replacements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Cell Biology
University of San Diego, California
San Diego, CA06-2003
Skills
- Histologic techniques, including frozen sectioning
- Laboratory safety protocols
- Regulatory compliance awareness, including knowledge of CLIA regulations
- Time management and problem solving
Certification
- Histotechnologist (ASCP-certified)
Timeline
Histotechnologist
Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group
10.2009 - Current
Histotechnician
Sharp Healthcare
09.2002 - 10.2009
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Cell Biology
University of San Diego, California