Histopathology Technologist (Quality Management)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Nashville, TN

28d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as Quality Management Histopathology Technologist in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at the VA TVHS, Nashville Campus and serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation to histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work. The histopathology technologist also provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services as they related to Anatomic Pathology to all levels of management throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

Provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services to all levels of management throughout the organization.
Histopathology technologist maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback.
Analyzes, identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. The histopathology technologist monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators.
Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing.
Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies.
Leads histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work, providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of assigned areas.
Independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis.
Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens.
Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing, record keeping, and documentation.
Researches, develops, tests, optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols, including, but not limited to, new antibodies, probes, detection protocols/kits, new lots and concentrated antibody titrations.
Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues.
Identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples.
Monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and maintains efficient workflow.
Assures coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work.
Functions as an assistant to anatomic pathologists by accessioning, examining, dissecting, and processing of tissue samples in Surgical Pathology, by participating in gross autopsy dissection as diener on an as needed basis (when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable).