Histology Technician Certified

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

61d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of supervisors, the Histology Technician Certified is directly responsible for the prompt, efficient, and accurate performance of a variety of histological procedures on tissue specimens. This role requires a workable knowledge of the position and the ability to independently make logical and sound decisions. The technician must demonstrate the ability to organize, direct, and communicate effectively, showing initiative and interest in their overall job performance. Adaptability to the day-to-day workflow of the Pathology Lab is essential, as is effective communication with lab staff, Medical Center departmental staff, patients, medical staff, or anyone requiring laboratory service.

Requirements

Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Completed a 12-month clinical internship in an accredited school for Histotechnology.
Certified HT with ASCP, AMT, NCCLS or equivalent certification.
Workable knowledge of the position.
Ability to independently make logical and sound decisions based on knowledge and available resources.
Demonstrated ability to organize, direct, and communicate effectively.
Demonstrated initiative and interest in his/her overall job performance.
Adaptability to the day to day workflow of the Pathology Lab.
Effective communication with lab staff, Medical Center departmental staff, patients, medical staff or anyone requiring laboratory service.
No previous experience required.

Nice To Haves

Assists with training of other histology staff
Provides information to Medical Center personnel regarding sample handling
Assists with orientation and training of new personnel in the Histology Department
Continually abide by and maintain current knowledge of, or be familiar with locating references to, any hospital or laboratory policy.
Provides information to the nursing and/or medical staff regarding the proper use of materials for the collection or handling of specimens for histology.
Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Accepts additional assignments as assigned from lab supervisors or pathologists.
Voluntarily assists co-workers when patient care priorities and workload fluctuate.
Will be scheduled to work weekends or holidays as required for histology laboratory coverage and when assigned by the supervisor or pathologist.

Responsibilities

Identification and processing of all tissue specimens received in anatomic pathology.
Assigning an appropriate sequential accession number to each tissue specimen, maintaining absolute certainty of patient identification at all times throughout processing and handling procedures.
Accurate entry of all patient demographic information, specimen source, and physician and/or surgeon for each specimen received.
Assisting the pathologist with the gross examination of all tissue specimens by providing accurately labeled tissue cassettes, loading and operating the tissue processor, and providing any requested assistance.
Processing, cutting sections from embedded tissue blocks, staining, and delivering prepared slides to the pathologist in a timely manner for daily microscopic examination.
Assisting the pathologist with frozen section preparation immediately after specimen receipt and the ability to cut frozen sections as needed.
Demonstrating a strong knowledge and understanding of IHC, ISH, and Special Stains.
Preparing slides or any anatomical material for sending to other laboratories for consultation or processing as deemed necessary by the pathologist.
Preparing breast panels by scanning images for review by pathologists.
Properly filing indexed tissue slides and blocks for storage and efficient retrieval, ensuring slides are retained for the proper length of time before discarding.
Assisting with the rotation of all patient specimens located in storage sites as needed.
Maintaining all departmental equipment and supplies, checking the performance of and maintaining all equipment, including backup equipment, in working condition at all times.
Understanding instrumental and procedural principles to effectively troubleshoot and make minor repairs or procedural changes independently when necessary, requesting assistance as needed or contacting manufacturers' service hotlines.
Notifying affected patient care areas if delays may occur.
Maintaining complete and current maintenance records for all equipment and performing preventive maintenance and calibration as recommended by the manufacturer.
Maintaining cost control in the utilization of materials and suggesting ways to improve conservation of same as appropriate.
Rotating, dating, and testing reagents as they are received or prepared to ensure accuracy, avoid expiration, and provide availability for use when needed.
Reporting any need for, or significant decrease in, supply or reagent inventories, and reagent or supply problems to the supervisor as soon as possible.
Assisting with the writing of procedure manuals in accordance with NCCLS format.
Demonstrating compliance with safety procedures and quality assurance standards.
Assisting with the implementation of new procedures and evaluations of new products.
Evaluating new products, procedures, or techniques and providing written information regarding findings to the supervisor as soon as possible after evaluation.
Suggesting changes in methodologies, workflow, etc., which will increase accuracy and/or efficiency of service at any time.
Keeping departmental records, forms, log sheets, and other pertinent histologic information filed in a concise and organized fashion for rapid reference or retrieval at all times.
Assisting with the training of other histology staff and providing information to Medical Center personnel regarding sample handling.
Assisting with the orientation and training of new personnel in the Histology Department as requested.
Continually abiding by and maintaining current knowledge of, or being familiar with locating references to, any hospital or laboratory policy.
Providing information to the nursing and/or medical staff regarding the proper use of materials for the collection or handling of specimens for histology.
Performing related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Accepting additional assignments as assigned from lab supervisors or pathologists.
Voluntarily assisting co-workers when patient care priorities and workload fluctuate.
Being scheduled to work weekends or holidays as required for histology laboratory coverage and when assigned by the supervisor or pathologist.