WINSTON SPENCE
North Chesterfield,VA
Summary
Histology Coordinator, Medical Laboratory Scientist, and Histotechnologist with over seven years of progressive experience leading high-complexity histology and clinical laboratory operations. Expertise includes laboratory operations management, immunohistochemistry, special stains, quality assurance, regulatory compliance (CAP, CLIA, and OSHA), staff development, workflow optimization, and continuous process improvement. Recognized for driving operational excellence, mentoring laboratory personnel, implementing quality initiatives, and ensuring exceptional diagnostic support in fast-paced healthcare environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Histology Coordinator
Bon Secours Mercy Health (St. Mary's Hospital)
Richmond, VA
06.2026 - Current
- Coordinate daily operations of the Histology Laboratory to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery of high-quality diagnostic pathology services.
- Supervise, mentor, and support histotechnologists, laboratory technicians, and students while fostering a culture of quality, safety, and accountability.
- Coordinate staffing assignments, workflow priorities, and workload distribution to maintain optimal turnaround times and laboratory productivity.
- Oversee tissue processing, embedding, precision microtomy, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), special stains, and overall slide quality.
- Lead quality assurance and quality control activities while ensuring compliance with CAP, CLIA, OSHA, and Bon Secours policies and procedures.
- Coordinate instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, equipment validations, and implementation of new laboratory procedures and technologies.
- Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, consumables, and supply utilization to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
- Collaborate with pathologists, laboratory leadership, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to improve workflow efficiency and diagnostic quality.
- Train, mentor, and evaluate laboratory personnel through competency assessments, continuing education, and technical guidance.
- Lead continuous process improvement initiatives focused on enhancing quality, efficiency, patient safety, and turnaround time.
CMCN
United States Navy (Reserve)
04.2025 - Current
- Support preventive maintenance, readiness operations, and strict procedural compliance.
- Demonstrate leadership, accountability, and operational discipline in a mission-driven environment.
Histotechnologist
St. Mary’s Hospital (Bon Secours)
Richmond, VA
09.2024 - Current
- Process approximately 400-600 tissue blocks daily generating 700+ slides/day while maintaining strict quality standards.
- Perform routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and special stain procedures supporting diagnostic pathology services.
- Troubleshoot staining and technical issues while collaborating with pathologists to optimize results.
- Train laboratory personnel and interns on technical procedures and workflow practices.
- Perform quality control, equipment monitoring, reagent assessment, and documentation to maintain CAP compliance.
- Contribute to workflow improvements that reduce turnaround times.
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Microbiology)
Kingston, JA
03.2024 - 07.2024
- Perform complex microbiology testing, organism identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis.
- Support quality assurance initiatives and regulatory compliance.
- Assist with workflow improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and testing reliability.
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Histology)
Kingston, JA
07.2022 - 03.2024
- Performed high-volume tissue processing, microtomy, and diagnostic slide preparation.
- Maintained instrument performance, QC standards, and accreditation readiness.
- Contributed to staff training and mentorship.
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Kingston, JA
10.2021 - 07.2022
- Performed compatibility testing, antibody identification, and crossmatching.
- Supported emergency transfusion operations while maintaining patient safety standards.
Junior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Histology)
Kingston, JA
11.2019 - 10.2021
- Supported histology operations including specimen processing, staining, and slide preparation.
- Assisted with quality control procedures and equipment maintenance.
Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist Intern
National Public Health Laboratory
Kingston, JA
01.2019 - 06.2019
- Rotated in all the complex laboratory disciplines in Medical Technology (Hematology, Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Cytology and Immunohematology), where I performed the necessary test to ensure excellent patient outcome.
- Collaborated with health professionals to ensure accurate testing procedures.
Education
Bachelors of Science (BSc) - Medical Technology
Northern Caribbean University (NCU)
Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica08-2019
Skills
Histology Laboratory Operations
Laboratory Leadership & Team Supervision
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Special Stains
Tissue Processing
Embedding
Precision Microtomy
CAP / CLIA / OSHA Compliance
Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Competency Assessment
Staff Training & Mentorship
Process Improvement
Workflow Optimization
Lean Laboratory Practices
Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
Instrument Validation & Troubleshooting
Inventory & Reagent Management
Root Cause Analysis
Regulatory Inspection Readiness
Certification
- MLS (ASCPi)CM
- HTL (ASCPi)CM
Timeline
Histology Coordinator
Bon Secours Mercy Health (St. Mary's Hospital)
06.2026 - Current
CMCN
United States Navy (Reserve)
04.2025 - Current
Histotechnologist
St. Mary’s Hospital (Bon Secours)
09.2024 - Current
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Microbiology)
03.2024 - 07.2024
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Histology)
07.2022 - 03.2024
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Blood Bank)
10.2021 - 07.2022
Junior Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist
National Public Health Laboratory (Histology)
11.2019 - 10.2021
Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist Intern
National Public Health Laboratory
01.2019 - 06.2019
Bachelors of Science (BSc) - Medical Technology
Northern Caribbean University (NCU)