Gross Room Technologist I or II

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Gross Room Manager and indirect supervision of the Medical Director, the Gross Room Lab Assistant II is an experienced and highly motivated individual who performs a variety of organizational, maintenance, and administrative/clerical duties to ensure overall efficiency of the laboratory and specimen processing. They will do this for the department through strong attention to detail and correct accessioning of all specimens. This position requires independent judgment in selection of methodologies utilized in processing specimens and in solving a wide array of issues and problems. The lab assistant receives tissue specimens while confirming the requisition/orders for completeness and accuracy of patient identification and patient information. The importance of this step and process cannot be overemphasized. The assistant will organize accession specimens and assist in preparing them for processing using various methodologies, complex machinery, and staining systems. The position also assists in maintenance of the surgical pathology gross room by stocking supplies, cleaning and organizing of workstations, disposal of biological waste, adherence to all compliance and operational procedures. The ability to listen and follow precise protocols is required. This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties and shift schedule of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Lab Assistant I): Two (2) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to two (2) years
Minimum Qualifications (Lab Assistant II): Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability: Successful candidates for a Lab Assistant position must have had coursework in anatomy, physiology, and histology with experience in anatomic pathology.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to establish rapport with people of diverse backgrounds.
Ability to interpret and follow complex rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Ability to listen and follow precise protocols and written instructions.
Demonstrated ability to organize workload, file correctly by alphabetical and numerical order.
Must possess a professional demeanor and have experience that demonstrates problem solving skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently with minimal supervision.
The successful candidate will be detail oriented, self-motivated, a fast learner and possess excellent time management, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to take direction and use independent judgment to coordinate and meet multiple deadlines.
Familiarity with HIPAA and security compliance requirements.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Must be willing and able to…Lift, push, and/or pull up to 50 lbs.
Work in an environment that may expose you to fumes, chemicals, liquid nitrogen, extreme cold, blood/body fluids, and infectious disease.
Sit and stand for long periods of time, frequently walk, and bend/stoop, as well as execute repetitive motions.
Safely work with complex and sharp laboratory equipment, and various chemical and biological solutions.
Wear appropriate personal protective and safety equipment when handling biological samples and hazardous chemicals and practice good hygiene, especially hand washing.
Work within a high-level secure facility.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree or higher earned degree in any biological science from an accredited institution.
Experience working with patient specimens or prior work in a clinical laboratory setting.
Prior experience using CoPath.
A bachelor’s degree or higher earned degree in any biological science from an accredited institution.

Responsibilities

Proper accessioning of surgical pathology cases.
Correct errors found while accessioning cases through communication with internal and external personnel.
Staining slides during intraoperative consultation.
Distributing appropriate specimen containers, requisitions, and tissue cassettes.
Printing additional tissue cassettes and organizing tissue cassettes numerically.
Gross room maintenance and equipment oversight.
Disposal of biological waste.
Organization, cleaning, and stocking of work areas.
Stocking supplies and monitoring supply inventory.
Assisting various staff, residents and faculty as needed.
Filing paperwork.
Effectively communicating in person, via email, telephone, fax, etc.. Internal/external communications are frequent among coworkers, which include pathology staff, trainees, clinicians, nurses, transcriptionists, etc.