Histology technologist

Love what you do; Love where you live

With team accountability at the forefront of your work ethic and knowing the sacred trust placed upon us by those we are serving, the histology assistant is responsible for optimal technical processing and preparation (with guidance and direction by histotechnologist) of surgical tissue specimens, bone marrow specimens, cytology specimens and gynecological pap smear specimens for pathologic exam. Assist pathologist at all technical procedures as required (FNA procedures, CT-guided biopsies, bone marrow aspirations). In thoughtful anticipation of meeting the needs of our clients, exemplary customer service in all aspects of customer contact with the histology department is expected.

Required Behaviors:

•As you go about fulfilling this mission, your work habits and work relationships should embody SJRMC's values. These values are our culture, our identity as an organization: Sacred Trust, Personal Reverence, Thoughtful Anticipation, Team Accountability and Creative Vitality ask more of us than merely completing some list of tasks. Our values ask for a deeper level of commitment, and what is asked of us we freely give because we believe in our mission.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma with strong background in science

Preferred Qualifications:

• HT (ASCP) or HT (ASCP) eligible or approved histology on the job training/internship under pathologist guidance with documentation for HT examination (ASCP) to include Associate Degree after 2005
• Anatomic pathology laboratory experience
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Able to exercise independent judgment based on theoretical knowledge, training, experience, and skill.
• Background in chemistry/biology/math helpful.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for competent and correct management of patient samples and performance of all technical histologic procedures involved in the prompt and proficient production of completed slides for diagnosis by the pathologist
• Strong sense of responsibility and sincere interest in civic and personal safety due to frequent chemical use and exposure, including potential for pollution/contamination of community water supplies
• Informed awareness and understanding of OSHA regulations
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Manual dexterity essential due to ever-present danger of injury to hands during microtomy

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Prepare microscopic tissue slides (embed, cut, stain, label) for path review. Must be able to exercise independent educated judgment in relation to orientation of specimen during embedding of sample in paraffin block (with guidance and training by the histotechnologist).
• Process gynecologic slides (stain, label) for screening
• Process cytology specimens (stain, label) and deliver for path review in a timely manner
• Process frozen sections (cut, stain, and label) on a STAT basis as needed
• Assist pathologist at technical procedures as needed and as qualified:
• a. fine needle aspiration procedure
• b. CT-guided biopsies
• c. kidney biopsy
• d. muscle/nerve biopsy
• e. tissue/fluid culture
• f. flow cytometry sample
• g. chromosomal analysis samples
• h. immunofluorescent samples
• i. electron microscopic samples
• j. bone marrow procedures
• Accession surgical tissue specimens in computer database
• Organize and prepare tissue specimens for grossing by pathologist by 1:30 PM daily. Ensure proper identification of biopsy tissue samples. Assist pathologist at the grossing bench daily and be responsible for placing tissue samples on the tissue processor with appropriate processing schedule selected and entered.
• Label and prepare for staining the gynecological pap smears (after accessioning by pathology secretary). Ensure proper identification of received samples.
• Perform special histochemical/immunohistochemical stains at the request of Pathologist and section supervisor
• Prepare histology samples for send-out to reference laboratory to include report forms, test request forms and follow-up on all billing (to include daily routine pap smear send-out and samples for additional testing or consultation)
• Perform ordering, distribution, and stocking of department supplies
• Perform scheduled filtering and replacing of all staining and processing solutions to include documentation
• Perform filing, monitoring of equipment with documentation and maintenance, clean-up and other essential duties as needed
• Perform various other duties as necessary for an organized, clean, safe, and well-maintained department
• Each employee is responsible for implementing SJRMC's Service Standards into their daily work:

Safety, Courtesy, Effectiveness, and Stewardship

• Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job

Physical Demands and Environmental Work Conditions:

Physical working environment may include, but not be limited by, any of the following hazards:

• Chemical, electrical, mechanical, biowaste, explosive, radiation, etc.
• Additional histology laboratory chemical exposure may include: daily exposure to formaldehyde, alcohol, and xylene substitutes (Americlear)
• Additional histology laboratory chemical exposure and handling may include: toxic, caustic, corrosive, poisonous, mutagenic, teratogenic, possible cancer suspects, etc.
• Additional mechanical hazards may include potential for injury to hands due to daily use of sharp blades during microtomy.

Environmental conditions may include, but not be limited by:

• Variations in temperature, noise, odors, etc.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Constantly stand and walk
• The employee frequently is required to stoop, crouch and twist
• The employee is occasionally required to kneel, squat, and sit

Functional physical demands include:

• Manual dexterity
• Fine motor skills
• Reaching

The following senses will be needed for essential duties of the job:

• Speech
• Vision
• Hearing
• Smelling
• Touching

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