Grossing Technician I

ARUP Laboratories•Salt Lake City, UT

13h

About The Position

Provides technical and non-technical laboratory services in pathology service areas, including specimen handling, gross examination and dissection, preparation of tissue for frozen section diagnosis, support for autopsy examinations, quality control, selected equipment maintenance, data handling, and answering telephone calls. May assist with patient-facing biopsy services and ensures procedures are performed according to section protocols. The position primarily assists with bone marrow collections at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. The role includes triaging and accessioning surgical specimens; preparing gross descriptions and dissecting authorized specimen types; preparing tissue and frozen sections; maintaining the gross dissection laboratory, equipment, and supplies; and supporting biopsy and autopsy services. It also involves documentation, quality assurance, safety and biohazard compliance, confidentiality, communication, and assistance with training and orientation as directed. The regular schedule is 7-on/7-off, B week, from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The training schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The work is in a biohazard laboratory environment requiring personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the section’s specimen acceptance and rejection policies.
Ability to follow established specimen handling, laboratory, quality control, safety, and biohazard procedures.
Ability to communicate frequently and effectively with others.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional conduct.
Ability to perform the physical demands of medium work: exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly.
Ability to stoop, reach, and move between work sites and within the office as needed.
Close, far, and peripheral visual acuity sufficient for work tasks.
Fine motor control for picking, pinching, typing, and other finger-based work.
Continually assess current literature and best practices.

Responsibilities

Understand specimen collection, handling, and transport procedures; prepare specimens for analysis and determine sample acceptability under established guidelines.
Triage and accession surgical specimens according to established procedures.
Master the Laboratory Information System (LIS) functions used by the section.
Prepare gross descriptions and dissect authorized surgical specimens, including accessioning specimens, obtaining clinical history, describing and dictating gross features, preparing tissue for histologic processing, performing special procedures such as decalcification and inking, photographing pertinent specimens, and assigning specimen codes.
Prepare authorized frozen sections.
Prepare cut specimens for histologic submission, label cassettes, complete required paperwork and logs, and submit specimens promptly for processing.
Maintain a clean and organized gross dissection laboratory; clean and document bench surfaces, cutting stations, and equipment as required.
Perform and document daily cryostat cleaning and maintenance and daily stain maintenance.
Maintain adequate supplies for daily tasks.
May assist with biopsy collection services, including glomerular assessments on kidney collections and assessing bone marrow aspirates for spicules; may prepare bone marrow aspirate smears, peripheral whole blood smears, and touch prep slides with bone marrow core biopsy specimens.
Assist pathology residents and staff pathologists with autopsy procedures before, during, and after examinations at UUHSC.
Prepare for autopsies by receiving the body, obtaining documentation, and setting up the work environment; clean and sterilize the autopsy suite after examinations.
Perform, document, and review departmental quality control activities.
Assist in labeling, identifying, and preparing autopsy specimens.
Complete required paperwork accurately, legibly, concisely, and on time.
Comply with safety and biohazard regulations and quality control, assurance, and improvement procedures; document quality control as appropriate.
Participate in annual competency testing and perform new procedures after appropriate orientation and training, as directed.
Assist with orientation and training of new personnel as directed.
Protect data security and patient confidentiality; maintain ethical standards in testing and interactions with patients, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals.
Maintain open and effective communication with work teams and other teams throughout the organization.
Maintain professional appearance and behavior in work-related interactions.
Perform other duties as assigned.