Histotechnologist (Levels 2-3) - Anatomic Pathology Lab

General Description: Under general direction performs routine and advanced professional and technical work in preparing human tissues for microscopic examination and interpretation. May require working with infectious agents.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Receives specimens from clinical services.

• Loads and operate tissue processors.

• Performs processor fluid changes.

• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate us of PPE.

• Embeds paraffin infiltrated specimens according to specimen type.

• Sections paraffin embedded tissue at various thickness according to department protocols.

• Embeds fresh tissue in a water-based medium for frozen section.

• Process, cuts and stains frozen tissues for rapid diagnosis during surgical procedures.

• Performs routine staining procedures (Hand H&E and special stains).

• Prepares solutions for routine and special stains.

• Performs appropriate QC and evaluates the quality of each stain.

• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the hospital in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Participates in laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation and performance improvement.

• Performs Proficiency testing according to laboratory and regulatory requirements.

• Troubleshoots sectioning and staining issues. Assess and verifies the patient results after troubleshooting issues.

• Participates in inventory management.

• Maintains legible and organized records and maintains work areas free of debris.

• Maintains accurate block and slide control records.

• Assumes responsibility of own professional development and acts as a mentor for others.

• Completes annual competency assessment and acts as a qualified evaluator.

• Responsible for the receiving, processing, and distribution of specimens. Can recognize issues with orders that may compromise patient test results.

• Specimen transport

• Enters patient information and test orders into Electronic Health Record.

• Operates laboratory equipment such as (but not limited to) scales, centrifuges, processors and stainers.

• Performs and documents proper maintenance of instrumentation and equipment following all safety and regulatory requirements.

• Performs miscellaneous clerical duties such as answering the telephone, filing and preparing records for filing.

• May train to assist in FNA procedures with the Pathologist present.

• Excellent knowledge of computer data entry and keyboard skills as it relates to the electronic medical record and its requirements.

• Maintains clean and organized workstation.

• Takes call as needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 2):

Education:

• Associate's Degree, OR

• 60 hours of coursework from an accredited college or university with at least 12 semester hours of science courses such as chemistry and biology, OR

• Successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited Histotechnician program

Experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Nationally recognized certification through one of the following governing accreditations:ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA required.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 3):

Education:

• Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT), OR

• Bachelor's Degree which includes: 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six (6) semester hours of chemistry, six (6) semester hours of biology; and twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination required.

Experience: 5 or more years of experience working in a hematopathology setting with progressive responsibility required.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Nationally recognized certification through one of the following governing accreditations:ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have the skills to perform required laboratory testing.

• Must be able to work as part of a team and follow instructions.

• Must be able to consistently and dependably report to work as scheduled.

• Must be able to maintain legible, accurate and organized records.

• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and exercise sound judgment.

• Must be able to multi-task and remain calm in stressful situations.

• Must possess ability to understand various operations, policies and procedures.

• Ability to work and communicate with co-workers and other caregivers, and meet their needs in a professional, polite, courteous, compassionate and cooperative manner.

• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards establishing priorities and completing assignments.

• Ability to assist in the pre-analytical phase for specimen procurement, identification and proper specimen handling.

• Performs troubleshooting and technical problem solving.

• Ability to assess and verify the validity of patient test results, including identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results.

• Intermediate knowledge of normal and complex laboratory processes.