Grossing Technician

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

About The Position

Under the general supervision of a Pathologist or Managing Pathologist Assistant, the Grossing Technician accessions and prepares human specimens (and animal specimens for research), performs specimen dissection and postmortem examinations, and provides technical support to pathologists and pathology residents. The role supports surgical pathology and laboratory operations, including grossing small biopsies, accessioning surgical specimens, and assisting pathologists with frozen sections. It also maintains cleanliness and infection control in surgical pathology dissection suites, the mortuary, and autopsy facilities, and provides support to the Decedent Affairs Office as needed. The position includes support for mortuary services and autopsies. Duties include assisting physicians with autopsies, death certificates, and related paperwork; coordinating with the New England Organ Bank and other parties; and supporting deceased-patient intake, storage, viewing, and release processes. The technician also performs histology-related preparation, equipment upkeep, inventory and supply coordination, recordkeeping, and laboratory safety and quality-control activities.

Requirements

Meet the minimum education requirements for the applicable laboratory duties through one of the following: a bachelor’s degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution; an associate degree in either field from an accredited institution; or equivalent education and training that includes at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution.
For the equivalent-education pathway, include 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, or 24 semester hours of science courses consisting of 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.
Complete laboratory training through a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ABHES, NAACLS, or another organization approved by HHS, or have at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which high-complexity testing is performed.
Have applied knowledge of histologic tissue preparation and histology techniques.
Demonstrate accuracy and precision in accessioning, gross description, fixation, and processing of human surgical specimen dissections.
Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
Have basic computer proficiency, including the ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data or information.

Nice To Haves

An associate degree plus two years of experience is preferred.
Certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare and gross small surgical, biopsy, and autopsy specimens, including dissecting and sectioning tissue according to standard operating procedures.
Perform histotechnology duties, including organizing and processing tissue, cutting and staining frozen sections, and preparing tissue for microscopic evaluation.
Obtain clinical history and tissue-type information when missing from specimens.
Administer the daily operation of the surgical pathology dissection suite; clean and disinfect work areas; and inventory and stock supplies.
Monitor and clean instruments and equipment, including fume hoods and cryostats.
Coordinate delivery of consumable supplies and equipment to laboratories and satellite offices, and monitor storeroom inventory under supervisor or manager direction.
Participate in moving hazardous waste to the department storage facility and communicate with the safety department as necessary.
Prepare chemicals and dyes for routine and special staining; perform routine histologic staining and set up the frozen-section staining area.
Operate and maintain automated tissue-staining equipment and automated coverslippers; accurately label and file slides and blocks.
Record daily statistics and test results, clean and maintain tissue processors, calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment, and report malfunctions.
Perform equipment preventive maintenance, quality-control documentation, quality-control checks, and temperature monitoring and documentation.
Apply universal precautions, chemical hygiene, infection-control, and laboratory-safety practices.
Receive deceased patients from hospital transport, escort them to the morgue, place them in mortuary refrigerators, and accession them.
Compile monthly deceased-patient statistics and communicate regarding death certificates and body-release authorization forms.
Coordinate with funeral directors, hospital house staff, pathology staff, and the Medical Examiner’s office regarding autopsies and body release.
Check that deceased-patient release documents are complete and accurate, and verify identity before release using the death certificate and identification tags or bands.
Communicate with and guide families regarding mortuary-service matters; organize and assist with viewings and prepare deceased patients for viewing.
Operate video-monitoring equipment and confer with psychiatric nurses, social workers, and administrators as needed.
Schedule and perform body releases to funeral directors, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, or livery services, and maintain records of transactions.
Care for and distribute deceased patients’ personal effects to appropriate departments; clean and disinfect morgue areas and equipment; and dispose of biohazard and chemical waste according to hospital policies.
Verify legal authorization for autopsies and check permission forms for accuracy and completeness.
Retrieve patient charts, medical records, and other pertinent information; coordinate special specimen-collection techniques and organ-sampling requests with the pathologist and relevant personnel.
Contact the pathology resident and pathologist on call, attending clinical physician listed on the death certificate, and other authorities before dissection.
Perform postmortem examinations, including external examination, in-situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection, and dictation or recording of organ weights, body fluids, and gross anatomic findings.
Collaborate with pathologists to select and prepare gross tissue samples for frozen and permanent sections.
Photograph and archive the body, organs, microscope slides, and other relevant material.
Compile data for quality-improvement indicators as directed.
Follow hospital infection-control and safety procedures, support the hospital’s mission and goals, and perform other duties as needed.