Amy Sponsler
Pikesville,MD
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Histology Manager
PMB - Jahangir M. Kahn Pathology Services
03.2023 - Current
- Oversee all operations in this private GI laboratory.
- Upkeep SDS records
- Ordering all consumable items along with new supplies.
- Established a more efficient and linear laboratory along with updating the SOP's
- Programmed and validated new processor (VIP6)
- Gross, embed and cut all GI specimens that enter the laboratory.
- Cut all specimens at 3 microns to perform H&E's, special stains and IHC on Dako Immuno Stainer.
- Find and validate controls for specials and immunos that are performed in house.
- Upkeep New Lot Validations for Immunos.
- Xylene and Formalin Monitoring
- Participate in CAP Annual Competency Testing
- Upkeep EPA certificates for waste disposal
- Upkeep calibrations for timers and thermometers which are sent out to Cole-Parker/INNOCAL
- Coverage for specimen pickup at ambulatory center
- Handle all slide and block send outs for consult.
Histotechnologist
Sinai Hospital Of Baltimore
07.2022 - Current
- Operated and maintained equipment for function and provision of services.
- Promoted integrity of equipment function and assay systems by maintaining quality assurance standards.
- Executed histologic techniques to patient specimens to facilitate pathological diagnoses.
- Maintained adequate stock and supplies to perform procedures and prepare reagents.
- Documented routine laboratory instrument maintenance and corrective actions.
- Prepared solutions, stains and reagents in accordance with standards.
- Completed complex histological procedures to prepare slides for analysis.
- Minimized infection risk by regularly cleaning and disinfecting work areas and equipment.
- Monitored inventory levels of supplies, equipment, and reagents used and placed orders for replacements.
- Sorted specimens according to priority and difficulty of procedures and recorded all processes in pathology log.
- Reviewed slides for quality control prior to sending to pathologists.
- Troubleshot inconsistencies and identified errors to trace root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Operated instrumentation for tissue dehydration and section clearing.
- Conducted routine and special staining procedures to process mounted sections.
- Performed technical duties to produce histopathological slides of surgical specimens.
- Checked stained slides against paraffin blocks and gross dictation to determine completeness of sections.
- Observed safety and compliance guidelines by following departmental standards and practices.
- Used microtome to section embedded tissue and mount on microscope slide.
- Compiled surgical working drafts, requisitions and slides to distribute to pathologists.
Histology Technician
Lancaster General Hospital Penn Medicine
04.2020 - 06.2021
- Completed complex histological procedures to prepare slides for analysis. More specifically, manual and automated Ventana Special Stains machines, Ventana Ultra Immuno machines which use I View, Ultra View, Opti View, MMR, KLISH, Mel A/Mart-1 Red Kit, Dual and Cocktail Stains.
- Cut, mount, and stain samples from hospital patients suffering from acute and chronic concerns.
- Documented routine laboratory instrument maintenance and corrective actions.
- Operated instrumentation for tissue dehydration and section clearing.
- Minimized infection risk by regularly cleaning and disinfecting work areas and equipment.
- Prepared solutions, stains, and reagents in accordance with standards.
- Reviewed slides for quality control prior to sending to pathologists.
- Troubleshot inconsistencies and identified errors to trace root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Stayed current on changing procedures to offer expert support for histology laboratory activities.
- Sorted specimens according to priority and difficulty of procedures and recorded all processes in pathology log.
- Embedded tissue(biopsies, skin, large breast tissue, etc.) specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrated tissue specimens with wax.
- Compiled and maintained preventive maintenance and instrument performance check records according to schedule and regulations.
- Currently learning about ISO regulations.
- Compiled materials to distribute to pathologists such as surgical working drafts, requisitions and slides.
- Cut body tissue sections for microscopic examination using microtomes; currently, using an automated Microm with foot pedal.
Clinical Coordinator and Histology Instructor
Delaware Technical And Community College
01.2002 - 07.2004
- First, Instructed histology students and then became the Clinical Coordinator for DTCC Histology Program. Created weekly schedules for students, taking into account sick days, vacation time and holidays.
- Organized student attendance at various clinical sites.
- Implement new policies and educate students on changes.
- Instructed students in a hands-on environment along with instruction in the classroom.
- Administered quizzes, tests and guided students for Histology Practical.
- Ordered and maintained appropriate stock supplies.
- Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures.
Histology Technician
Christiana Care Health System
07.2001 - 04.2020
- Embedded specimens into blocks and fixed tissues in formalin
- Prepared histologic slides for human tissue samples via processing, cutting, embedding, staining and mounting
- Record number of tissue blocks and verified proper identification and labeling
- Assessed adequacy of chemicals and stains
- Adhered to all safety and infection control precautions and regulations, wearing all required PPE
- Routinely perform frozen sectioning
- Accessioning of all types of specimens
- Perform manual and automated Special Stains
- Proficient in Ventana Benchmark Ultra Immunohistochemical Stainer
- Assist Nephrologist in renal biopsy identification
- Maintain Stainers, Processors, Alcohol & Xylene Recyclers and Ancillary Laboratory Equipment
Histology Technician
Johns Hopkins Medicine
03.1999 - 05.2001
- Prepared histologic slides for human tissue samples via processing, cutting, embedding, staining, and mounting
- Performed wide variety of Special Stains
- Grossing of Biopsies
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Histolotechnology
Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD05.1999
Skills
- Personal and Professional Integrity
- Troubleshooting/Problem-Solving in Laboratory
- Basic Computer Skills; more specifically, SoftPath, Epic, and Vantage Systems
- Great Organizational Skills
- Team Contributor
- Student Mentoring for Delaware Technical and Community College Histology Students
- Effective multi-tasker
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Immunohistochemical testing
- Tissue Processing
- Tissue Embedding
- Multitasking abilities
- Universal Precautions
- Histochemical Testing
- Specimen Preparation
- Specimen Recording
- Microscopic Examination
- Collections Procedures
- Laboratory Techniques
- Specimen Handling
- Histologic Slides Preparation
- Laboratory Equipment Handling
- Instrumentation Maintenance
- Corrective Actions
- Surgical Pathology
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Chemical and Stain Assessment
- Laboratory Maintenance
- Biohazardous Waste Disposal
- Microsoft Word
- Results Tracking and Reporting
- Personal and Professional Integrity
- Knowledgeable in Chemistry
- Routine Maintenance
- Microtome Operation
- Fine Needle Aspirations
Certification
- Current HT, ASCP certification: HT-17393
Timeline
Histology Manager
PMB - Jahangir M. Kahn Pathology Services
03.2023 - Current
Histotechnologist
Sinai Hospital Of Baltimore
07.2022 - Current
Histology Technician
Lancaster General Hospital Penn Medicine
04.2020 - 06.2021
Clinical Coordinator and Histology Instructor
Delaware Technical And Community College
01.2002 - 07.2004
Histology Technician
Christiana Care Health System
07.2001 - 04.2020
Histology Technician
Johns Hopkins Medicine
03.1999 - 05.2001
Associate of Applied Science - Histolotechnology
Harford Community College