Histotechnologist 1 or 2

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Medical Directors, Site Manager and the Gross Room Supervisor / Morgue Supervisor depending on rotation, the incumbent receives, accessions, and prepares or “grosses in” specified surgical specimens which includes biopsies and larger specimens. This involves examining the specimen grossly, weighing, measuring, fixing, inking, cutting representative samples, and submitting them for histological processing. The role also includes dictating clinical descriptions for report transcription, contacting clinicians/surgeons for clinical information, and entering data into the Pathology computer system. The classification of Histotechnologist 1 or Histotechnologist 2 will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications. The position requires the ability to work variable schedules and rotate at other sites as needed. Incumbents may also assist with autopsies and other Morgue duties, embed tissues, and perform other duties in Histology or Electron Microscopy Laboratories.

Requirements

Completion of a degree in a biological science including coursework in Anatomy or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience to include 2 years of coursework with a minimum of 60 semester hours of college courses, including 24 semester hours of relevant science courses (chemistry, biology, anatomy) plus experience as a surgical gross-room technician.
Excellent data entry, word processing, spelling, grammar, and editing skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities and perform well under pressure to meet deadlines.
Histotechnologist Lead: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 5 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections, with at least 4 years of that experience cutting in complex specimens.
Histotechnologist III: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 3 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections, with at least 1 year of that experience cutting in complex specimens.
Histotechnologist II: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 2 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections and expected successful completion of department training program cutting in complex surgical specimens.
Histotechnologist I: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent combination education and experience in a hospital surgical pathology laboratory, including some demonstrated experience performing cryostat sectioning, staining or histology techniques.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in biological science with experience in hospital gross room setting.

Responsibilities

Performs gross sectioning of various types of biopsy specimens: weighs, measures, divides, cassettes and submits “Rush” specimens by cut-off time, dictates gross description of clinical data and specimen size, inks specimens as required for visualization or orientation, documents special instructions, enters Histology data in the computer system utilizing barcoding system, loads Histology tissue processors as needed.
Performs gross sectioning of specified less complex to complex surgical specimens as determined by the Medical Director, applying sound judgment during dissection according to established guidelines.
Independently obtains and communicates with clinicians/surgeons about intraoperative specimens, performs rapid preparation of H&E-stained frozen section slides for rapid diagnosis by the Pathologist.
Performs autopsy procedures, including reconciling permit information, preparing tables and instruments, checking body identification, performing specialized autopsy procedures like organ evisceration and dissection, and decontaminating equipment.
Maintains protocol in the receipt and release of bodies from the morgue, reviews release documents, harvests tissue for research projects, prepares tissue and organs for conferences, maintains pathology specimen filing system, prepares bodies for viewing by family members, assists with radiography and photography of specimens, and maintains departmental log books.
Provides direction to staff regarding daily workflow in the Histology Lab, demonstrates expert technical skill in embedding, sectioning, routine and special staining, and completes workload within time deadlines.
Performs or directs other staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens presenting sectioning problems, including those requiring serial sectioning or sectioning for PCR and in situ work-up.
Oversees inventory of control blocks used for special stains and anticipates needs.
Proactively troubleshoots and resolves technical problems, communicating with Supervisor regarding resolution, and manages specific assignments within the lab.
Maintains QC documentation files, assists Lab Manager with annual safety requirements, and assures compliance with technical and general policies and procedures.
Provides technical support to the cytology laboratory by forwarding specimens, performing specimen preparation using a wide variety of technical procedures, including direct smears, centrifugation, cytocentrifugation, and T2 ThinPrep processing.
Performs basic maintenance and troubleshooting for automation in the cytology lab, including the automatic stainer, coverslipper, ThinPrep processor, multiload processor, and imaging station.
Performs all technical components of electron microscopy procedures, including specimen receipt, gross evaluation, fixation, tissue processing, thick sectioning, ultrathin sectioning, and operation of the electron microscope.