Histotechnologist II - Adult Dermatology

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:

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.

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.