Histotechnologist

General Summary of Position

Responsible for the preparations and preservation of surgical tissue specimens and cytopathology specimens submitted to the Laboratory for gross examination, fixing, embedding, sectioning, and staining before submitted to the Pathologists for microscopic examination and diagnosis. Prepares the routine H&E and special stains necessary for the microscopic diagnosis of surgical specimens, assists in the surgical pathology grossing area and participates in the general maintenance of the histopathology lab.

Working hours for this role is Monday-Friday 11:30pm
-8am.

• Specimen Testing and Preparation
  Performs the processing of surgical specimens for testing and examination including embedding, sectioning, staining, cover slipping, and labeling.
  Completes processing of surgical specimens for testing and examination received in assigned laboratory section as outlined in the training and/or competency assessment documentation.
  Performs patient care testing on assigned specimens without supervision and/or director review for specimen processing, test performance or result reporting unless specified and documented in the competency assessment or testing procedure.
  Utilizes judgment and discretion in considering sample integrity, process calibration, reagent concentration and stability, quality control relationship to unknown results, evaluation of unexpected patient results and error identification.
  Obtains surgical specimens, prepares frozen sections, and mixes fixatives, decalcifiers and other solutions and labels cassettes.
  Performs routine H&E, special stains, and enzyme staining for review by the Pathologists for clinical diagnosis on surgical and cytological specimens, including STAT biopsies i.e. heart, kidney, liver.
  Evaluates specimen integrity and acceptability for test performance; obtains specimens for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Accessions specimens received in the laboratory in the laboratory information system.
  Utilizes computer appropriately for quality control, specimen inquiry, and patient inquiry.
• Quality Control
  Performs and documents quality control according to manufacture specifications, laboratory specifications and/or regulatory specifications.
  Institutes corrective action and notifies supervisor of quality control problems.
  Reviews section SOP manual and ensures testing practices match SOP guidelines.
• Quality Assurance / Regulatory / Safety
  Completes competency assessment within 90 days of hire and annually thereafter, or as needed to meet all regulatory requirements.
  As needed, assists supervisor with any regulatory requests and/or inspections.
  Works collectively with co-workers to ensure laboratory meets and exceeds all safety requirements, including but not limited to maintaining temperature charts, equipment logs, control materials, laboratory cleanliness and transportation of hazardous wastes to the department's pick-up area.
• Customer Service
  Complies with department customer service standards (i.e. answering phone within 3 rings, identifying self to caller or customer in person, promptly attending to customer needs).
  Ensures that turnaround time standards are met within the lab section.
  Always maintains a positive image when interacting with others outside of the laboratory.
  Proactively provide assistance to the outside department when needed.
• Equipment Maintenance and Inventory
  Maintains equipment logs and performs routine calibration and preventative maintenance on instruments and
• Laboratory General Maintains files for patient specimens (blocks, slides), reports and other quality control materials as needed. Completes patient test billing as needed. Delivers surgical tissues, stained slides, and supplies as needed to/from Surgical Pathology, MDL Labs, Cytology, Morgue, and the Pathologists. Proactively reviews pending log to ensure patient care tests are not missed, resulted correctly and meet turnaround time standards.
  
  Participates in continuing education. Provides training to others as assigned by the Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Manager, Administrative Director, Laboratory Director or equivalent.
• Observes Joint…