Grossing Technician

BMC Software•Boston, MA

3d•$24 - $34

About The Position

The Grossing Technician works under the general supervision of a Pathologist or Managing Pathologist Assistant to accession, prepare, dissect, and examine human specimens and, for research, animal specimens. The role provides technical support to pathologists and pathology residents, including specimen dissection, paperwork, and supplies, and supports laboratory operations through small-biopsy grossing, surgical specimen accessioning, and frozen-section assistance. The technician maintains cleanliness and infection control in surgical pathology dissection suites, the mortuary, and the autopsy facility, and provides support services to the Decedent Affairs Office, including assistance with autopsies, death certificates, and related paperwork. The position supports surgical pathology and frozen-section services, mortuary operations, and autopsy procedures. Duties include specimen and tissue preparation, laboratory equipment and inventory support, deceased-patient handling and release coordination, documentation, and collaboration with pathologists and other hospital personnel. The technician follows hospital safety, infection-control, and quality-control procedures and performs other duties as needed.

Requirements

An eligible education pathway: 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 qualifying equivalent education and laboratory training as specified in the posting.
For the equivalent-education pathway, at least 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution, including 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, or 24 semester hours of specified science courses: 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.
Laboratory training through an HHS-approved clinical laboratory training program or at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which high-complexity testing is performed.
Applied knowledge of histologic tissue preparation and techniques pertaining to histology.
Accuracy and precision in accessioning, gross description, fixation, and processing of human surgical specimen dissections.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data or information.

Nice To Haves

An associate’s 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 tissues according to standard operating procedures.
Perform histotechnologist duties such as organizing, processing, cutting frozen sections, staining, and preparing tissue for microscopic evaluation.
Obtain clinical history and tissue-type information for specimens when missing.
Operate and maintain the surgical pathology dissection suite, including cleaning and disinfecting work areas and monitoring instruments and equipment.
Coordinate delivery of consumable supplies and equipment to laboratories and satellite offices, and monitor storeroom inventory under supervisor or manager direction.
Participate in removing hazardous waste from laboratories and communicate with the safety department as necessary.
Prepare chemicals and dyes and perform routine and special staining-related tasks; support frozen-section staining and automated staining and coverslipping equipment.
Label and file slides and blocks accurately, record daily statistical data and test results, and clean and maintain tissue processors.
Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment, document quality control and temperature checks, report malfunctions, maintain equipment-performance logs, and perform preventive maintenance documentation.
Follow Universal Precautions, chemical hygiene, infection-control, and laboratory-safety practices.
Receive deceased patients, escort them to the morgue, place them in mortuary refrigerators, accession them, and compile monthly statistics.
Coordinate death certificates, body-release authorizations, autopsies, and releases with funeral directors, hospital staff, pathology staff, and the Medical Examiner’s office.
Verify deceased-patient identity and ensure release documents are complete and accurate before release.
Communicate with families about mortuary services and assist with deceased-patient viewings, including preparation and operation of video-monitoring equipment.
Schedule and perform body releases, maintain transaction records, and care for and distribute deceased patients’ personal effects.
Clean and disinfect the morgue, refrigerators, receiving areas, and equipment; dispose of biohazard and chemical waste according to hospital procedures.
Confirm legal authorization for autopsies, retrieve relevant medical records, coordinate special specimen collection, and notify involved personnel before dissection.
Perform postmortem examinations, including external examination, in-situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection, and recording or dictation of findings and measurements.
Collaborate with pathologists to select and prepare gross tissue samples for frozen and permanent sections.
Photograph and archive bodies, organs, slides, and other relevant material; collate quality-improvement data as directed.
Use hospital cultural beliefs as a basis for decision-making and support the hospital’s mission and goals.
Perform other duties as needed.