Senior Histopathology Technologist, Full Time, Days

Department: Jackson Memorial Hospital - Anatomic Pathology

Address: 1611 NW 12 Ave., Miami, FL 33136

Shift Details: Full-Time, Days

Why Jackson:

Jackson Memorial Hospital is the flagship hospital for Jackson Health System and it has been a beacon of medical excellence and community care for more than a century. Throughout its rich and storied history, Jackson Memorial – located in the heart of the City of Miami – has been ground zero for some of the world's greatest medical breakthroughs and important moments in South Florida. We've grown into one of the nation's largest public hospitals, and one of the few that is also a world-class academic medical center with a proud mission and proven success. Jackson Memorial is an accredited, tertiary teaching hospital with 1,500 licensed beds, where nearly every medical specialty is provided by some of the world's most skilled and highly regarded multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Summary

The Senior Histopathology Technologist is responsible for administrative and professional direction of the cytology and histology laboratories, and the hospital morgue. Major administrative and professional responsibilities include planning, coordinating and evaluating work of a large group of technical and supportive personnel. Additional responsibilities include coordinating with other laboratory divisions and contributing to plans and policy development for the laboratory through conferences and staff meetings. Incumbents must exercise considerable administrative ability and professional knowledge. Duties are performed under general supervision of a clinical pathologist who advises on questions requiring coordination on problems necessitating medical determination and evaluates results for professional quality. Additional responsibilities include macroscopic examination and dissection of surgical specimens.

Responsibilities

Assists in developing long-and short-range goals and objectives. Assists in setting priorities, assigning responsibility, and establishing timetables. Assumes primary responsibility for developing plans and initiating procedures (concerning technical aspects, education, systems analysis, and personnel development) to achieve objectives affecting the laboratory. Assures adequate staff coverage. Develops and implements a basic training program for new employees including thorough cross training throughout all sections of the department to which they are assigned. Maintains posted schedules for all shifts, indicating daily staffing and specific assignments when applicable. Assesses laboratory adherence to established turnaround time, and reporting times on a monthly basis and as specific problems arise, and takes corrective action where needed. Demonstrates knowledge of current requirements and standards of all licensing and accreditation agencies and incorporates these into the laboratory operating structure. Prepares for and assists agency inspector in conducting all on site inspections. Reviews follow-up reports immediately upon receipt with individual supervisors, pathologists, and administrator to determine means for correcting deficiencies cited, and establishes deadlines for initiating corrective measures. Assumes primary responsibility for cost control of operating expenditures. Maintain departmental records on each employee. Develops and implements procedures for general laboratory plans concerning fire, disaster, and safety. Develops and maintains complete written procedural manuals pertaining to each area. Participates in the development of, and implement age-specific safety, security and infection control standards. Performs macroscopic examination and dissection of surgical specimens, ensuring proper identification, orientation, and preparation for further processing and analysis. Adhere to established protocols and guidelines for handling different types of specimens. Capable of grossing simple to moderate complex specimens under direct and indirect supervision, as applicable to training and experience. Demonstrates ability to handle broader range of specimens with indirect supervision (i.e., gallbladders, oriented skin lesions). Escalates non-routine, complicated surgical specimens to the pathologist assistant or pathologist. Collaborates with pathologist's assistants, other histotechnologists, and laboratory staff to ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery of results. Communicate any concerns, discrepancies, or issues related to specimens, equipment, or processes to the Histology manager or designee. Monitor and maintain quality control measures throughout the grossing process to ensure accurate specimen identification, integrity, and documentation. Complete all associated quality control logs (i.e., workload recording, equipment preventive maintenance chart, temperature charts). Prepares tissue specimens for processing, including fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining, following standardized laboratory procedures and safety guidelines. Ensure proper labeling and documentation of all processed specimens. Adheres to strict laboratory safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper disposal of hazardous materials, and maintenance of a clean and organized work environment. Promote a culture of safety within the laboratory and actively participate in safety training programs. Directs supervisors in developing in-depth procedure manuals and bench instruction manuals. Reviews all policies and procedures periodically for effectiveness and applicability, and where necessary reinforces or revises. Assesses all problems, which arise either internally or externally against established policy to determine action necessary. Maintains a current manual of hospital policies and procedures. Maintains effective communication between laboratory sections, with pathologists, administration, other departments within the hospital and physicians. Role models behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise). Performs all other related job duties as assigned.

Experience

Previous experience as a Grossing Histotechnologist is preferred, especially in a large healthcare system or hospital setting. Strong knowledge of histotechnology techniques, specimen processing, and laboratory safety protocols.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Histotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field preferred.

Skill

Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment. Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications. Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area.

Credentials

ASCP certification as a Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) is required.

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions - Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).

Physical Requirements - Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).