Histology Assistant

American Addiction Centers•Libertyville, IL

2d•$24 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Histology Assistant position in the Anatomic Pathology department at IL ACL Laboratories - Condell is a full-time role responsible for maintaining laboratory inventory, equipment, and ensuring specimen integrity. This role involves preparing tissue sections, assisting pathologists with gross examinations, handling specimens, and maintaining accurate records. The assistant also plays a role in autopsy preparation and performs quality control testing. Proficiency in laboratory information systems and computer functions is essential, as is the ability to train new associates. The position requires adherence to strict safety and regulatory protocols, including those from OSHA, CAP, and CLIA.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Typically requires 2 years of experience in a medical field environment.
Familiar with medical terminology.
Knowledge of human anatomy.
Demonstrated knowledge of biologic sciences and medical terminology.
Must know how to safely handle sharp instruments.
Must be detail oriented and have good organizational and communication skills.
Keyboarding and typing skills.
Proficient computer skills.

Responsibilities

Maintenance and storage of adequate inventory, including supplies and reagents.
Ordering supplies, following up on back orders, and ensuring proper stock rotation.
Labeling supplies with received dates and applying appropriate NFPA labels.
Maintaining departmental equipment and computer hardware, including performing and documenting routine preventative maintenance.
Identifying and solving technical problems related to lab methodology, instrumentation, and procedures.
Ensuring accurate identification and validity of all specimens received, notifying initiating units of any issues.
Following established laboratory safety procedures in accordance with regulatory bodies.
Preparing tissue section and cytology cellblock cassette for histological processing.
Assisting pathologist or pathology assistant with gross examination of surgical specimens and labeling tissue cassettes.
Assisting with fine needle aspirates, including processing and logging.
Accurately filing and retrieving stained slides and blocks.
Assisting in the preparation and performance of human postmortem examinations if necessary.
Verifying cadaver identity, taking preliminary measurements, eviscerating, performing dissections, cleaning bowel, removing brain, and recording observations during autopsies.
Notifying the Admitting Office when the body is ready for release.
Assisting in assembling data for preliminary autopsy protocol.
Ensuring proper maintenance of equipment, adequacy of supplies, and cleanliness in the autopsy suite.
Providing required patient service and meeting job assignment turn-around times.
Performing with adequate speed to assure expected result turnaround time.
Initiating follow-up procedures when patient results exceed established criteria.
Ensuring frozen sections are processed promptly and within established protocol.
Performing quality control testing, recording, reporting, and monitoring QC data.
Taking appropriate corrective action for QC issues and notifying supervisors.
Participating in efforts to monitor and improve CQI indicators and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Demonstrating competency in the use of the Hospital Information System (HIS) and Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Recognizing and reporting unusual LIS operations or error codes.
Initiating and following downtime procedures during HIS/LIS failures.
Performing computer functions such as specimen accession, credits, charges, order entry, and printing labels/reports.
Assisting in training and teaching bench-level methodology and theory to new associates and students.