Histotechnologist, Full Time, 1st Shift

HH Health System•Decatur, AL

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Provides technical support to the Pathologists and guidance to the Histology department by performing high volume, repetitive procedures in anatomical pathology. This role involves receiving specimens and requisitions, maintaining and operating highly technical automated instrumentation, and responding to verbal requests from Pathologists according to standard operating procedures. The Histotechnologist also performs secretarial responsibilities and other duties as required by Lab Management and the Pathologists to support the hospital’s mission. Key responsibilities include performing medical laboratory tests and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks, and maintaining up-to-date procedure manuals. The role requires proficiency in specimen handling, processing, embedding, cutting, staining, and slide preparation, along with meticulous record-keeping and adherence to safety and infection control protocols. The Histotechnologist must also be skilled in using laboratory information systems (LIS) and hospital information systems (HIS), preparing reagents, and maintaining a clean and organized work area. Continuous learning and participation in training are essential to stay current with technological advancements and regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

Graduate of approved Histotech program
HT or HTL (ASCP) registry certification
Knowledge of anatomic, physiologic, pathological procedures and medical terminology
Above average typing skills
Above average computer skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in histopathology, under the supervision of a pathologist
Experience with dictating machines
Experience with computer and word processing programs
Prior medical transcription /secretarial experience

Responsibilities

Performs high volume, repetitive procedures in anatomical pathology.
Receives specimens and requisitions, verifying accurate identification and acceptability of samples.
Maintains and operates highly technical automated instrumentation.
Responds to phone/verbal requests by the Pathologists according to standard operating procedures.
Performs secretarial responsibilities and other duties as required by Lab Management and the Pathologists.
Performs medical laboratory tests, procedures, and analyses to provide data for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Demonstrates understanding of established policies and procedures and performs procedures accurately and precisely.
Takes responsibility for procedure manual updates.
Demonstrates competency in performing laboratory services and provides technical direction and oversight to Histology Specialists as required.
Maintains an accurate and legible specimen accession log.
Labels cassettes with appropriate accession number legibly and accurately.
Processes cassettes in tissue processor at designated times and following established procedure.
Practices infection control procedures for protection of self, patients, and others.
Adheres to laboratory policies regarding safety, including personal protective equipment, engineering controls, and disposal of contaminated equipment.
Performs daily and routine maintenance, documents any corrective action taken or problems encountered, and notifies supervisor of unscheduled maintenance.
Accurately embeds specimens in appropriate embedding media and orients each specimen according to established procedure.
Uses a microtome to correctly cut blocks and prepare slides according to established procedure.
Logs reagents as they are received and opened, discards expired reagents and supplies, and rotates stock to minimize waste.
Ensures work area is well-stocked and notifies appropriate person when inventory levels are low.
Keeps work area clean, neat, and disinfected daily.
Performs all required staining procedures accurately, including required quality control, and evaluates stains for appropriate reactions.
Correctly mounts stained slides using appropriate media.
Labels all slides in an accurate and legible manner.
Prepares reagents, stains, fixatives, etc., according to written protocols.
Files and retrieves slides/blocks as needed.
Verifies that the proper specimen is being analyzed for the proper patient and for the indicated test procedures.
Judges the adequacy of submitted specimens.
Coordinates a simultaneous series of tests with accuracy and adjusts schedule in response to Stat orders and fluctuations in patient workload.
Organizes work so that procedures are performed within established turnaround times.
Applies knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and English language rules to transcription.
Clarifies diction that is unclear or incomplete, seeking assistance as needed.
Accurately compiles data for QI reports in a timely manner.
Assists pathologists in the preparation for Tumor Conference and other presentations.
Assesses a situation, considers alternatives, and chooses an appropriate course of action.
Mails, receives, and tracks all consultation documents as necessary.
Is proficient in all computer functions in the Meditech LIS and HIS necessary for performing the duties of a Histotech.
Recognizes and immediately reports any computer malfunction to supervisory personnel or follows the established protocol for reporting and troubleshooting computer problems.
Charges and/or credits procedures as needed.
Strives to remain current with technology of the job and the profession by undergoing retraining, in-services, continuing education programs, and independent reading and learning.
Participates in training new employees.
Follows required regulatory guidelines and acceptable practices, including CAP and other regulatory guidelines governing acceptable practice and protocol for laboratory practices.
Is aware of Patient Safety Goals and strives to meet them.