Apparatus and methods for treating hematological, cytological, or histological specimens deposited on slides are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first heating station, a second heating station, and at least one processing station adapted to receive specimen slides. A lifting device moves a first set of the specimen slides and a second set of the specimen slides among the first heating station, the second heating station, and the at least one processing station. A controller independently controls the temperature of the first and second heating stations and selectively positions each of the first and second sets of specimen slides within at least two of the first heating station, the second heating station, and the at least one processing station.