Histotechnician

Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain diagnostic viability of all specimens received, and ensure correct labeling of all materials
• Gross, process, embed, and make sections of surgical tissue submitted for microscopic examination
• Cut and stain sections for rapid diagnosis
• Section paraffin blocks as per procedure
• Perform routine H&E staining as well as implement new and established special stains and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains
• Examine all slides produced using a microscope and submit only those slides which are of high quality
• Prepare and maintain tissue fixatives and paraffins for tissue embedding, maintain reagents and solutions for staining of tissue sections
• Maintain and make minor adjustments and repairs to laboratory equipment such as microtomes, embedding machines, tissue processors, and slide and block printers
• Maintain records of tissue preparations and quality control
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe working environment in the laboratory while adhering to all guidelines
• Perform basic tracking, look-up, and billing functions of blocks and slides through the LIS system
• Use information system down time procedures when appropriate
• Review blocks and slides, using technical and scientific knowledge to recognize and verify validity and clinical relevance; consult with supervisor prior to the release of blocks/slides if unusual or unanticipated; follow laboratory SOPs for block/slide preparation and distribution
• Perform establish quality assurance procedures such as quality control testing, instrument function checks, periodic maintenance, and maintain appropriate records for these procedures
• Participate, as needed, in proficiency testing
• Follows all CLIA Patient Safety Goals.
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as directed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: American Society of Clinical Pathologists registered histologic technician HT (ASCP) or histotechnologist HTL (ASCP) OR Bachelors degree in science such as microbiology, chemistry, or a closely related field plus one year of clinical histology experience, OR Two years (24 months) of responsible work experience and/or on-the-job training in histologic techniques in a laboratory facility performing qualitative and quantitative exams such as trimming, processing and embedding tissues, examining histochemical and immunohistochemical slides, and/or cutting and staining tissue sections.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must demonstrate the ability to gross, embed, section, and stain routine tissue with acceptable quantity and quality
• Knowledge of biology, chemistry, histology, immunology, mathematics, and basic computer use
• Medical background, and knowledge of procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and medical records procedure preferred
• Must have excellent organizational skills to cope with an extremely busy work schedule associated with wide variety of techniques which must be handled accurately and expeditiously
• Must function independently in dealing with specimens and their proper handling
• Interact with physicians, patients, staff, visitors, and all customers via telephone conversations and in person in a pleasant and helpful manner
• Ability to stay calm while working quickly and with a high degree of accuracy to meet the demands of the daily workload
• On own initiative, ability to identify potential problems and troubleshoot problems as necessary
• Good interpersonal skills to interact effectively with co-workers and department staff
• Ability to work under general supervision

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
Requires sitting and standing for long periods associated with a pathology lab environment; good near-sighted vision for reading pathology diagnosis and reports; ability to work 2nd and 3rd shift hours required, travel as business needs require.

Qualifications