Pathology Research Technician

Banner Health

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Experience innovative technology and exceptional opportunities. If you’re looking to leverage your abilities to make a real difference – and real change in the health care industry – you belong at Banner Health. Apply today. The BBDP is an organ donation program. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of aging and the diseases of aging. Our goal is to discover new treatments and lifestyle methods that will improve the quality of life for older persons. We have an on call team that does autopsies 24hrs a day, every day. During regular work hours all samples are processed for histology. We are the only program in the world doing rapid autopsy on well characterized donors. Our laboratory is frequently publishing cutting edge studies on Alzheimer, Parkinson's and aging. We have a very dynamic group and foster professional development. As a Pathology Research Technician, you play a vital role in supporting pathologists and researchers in the study and diagnosis of diseases. Some of your responsibilities include to support our pathologists and researchers in disease study and diagnosis. In this role, you will perform essential histology work including tissue dissection, embedding, sectioning, and staining, as well as process biofluids such as blood and CSF. Your responsibilities will include preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination, applying special stains to highlight cellular structures, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, and accurately documenting test results. You will also assist with specimen collection procedures, prepare shipments, and help maintain a clean, well-stocked laboratory through tasks such as receiving packages, cleaning and filing slides, and preparing buffers and solutions. We rotate tasks to provide variety and comprehensive training across all laboratory functions. To succeed in this role, a background in biology or medical laboratory science is essential, along with attention to detail, teamwork skills, and proficiency in laboratory information systems. Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm + Autopsy On-Call schedule. We perform rapid autopsies; the pathology research tech should be ready to come to work within 40 minutes to 1 hour after being called (depending on the situation). This will be discussed more during the interview process. Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) was established in 2006 as Banner Health's first Center of Excellence. Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) was founded in 1986. Our team is uniquely, passionately, and strategically committed to ending Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders without losing another generation, advancing oncology research to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes, and providing an unparalleled model of care for families facing these devastating diseases. Banner Research is committed to improving people's lives through comprehensive patient care and advances that capitalize on the best biomedical research. We intend to make a transformational difference in Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, and oncology research and care. POSITION SUMMARY This position is responsible for performing routine to complex autopsy and laboratory diagnostic and research procedures including histological slide preparation; cutting and staining paraffin-embedded and frozen sections. Leads a rapid-response autopsy team.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in biology or biosciences.
Incumbent must maintain absolute confidentiality regarding human subject identity and must have ability to communicate sufficiently to perform duties in a manner consistent with departmental scope of services and standards.
Proficiency in laboratory information systems.
Attention to detail.
Teamwork skills.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in gross human and/or vertebrate anatomy.
Relevant experience in hospital pathology setting and/or biomedical research.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs various laboratory tests in accordance with standard practice. These include histological procedures such as tissue fixation, tissue sectioning on paraffin, cryostat and sliding freezing microtomes and staining sections with classical stains such as hematoxylin and eosin, silver stains such as Gallyas and Campbell-Switzer as well as with immunohistochemical methods.
Labeling and filing of slides.
Biochemical methods that are part of standard practice may include preparation of fresh and frozen single-cell suspensions, processing of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, western blotting, ELISA, RNA and DNA isolation and Bioanalyzer analysis.
Documents laboratory test results verbally, in personal laboratory notebook, in dedicated shared laboratory binders as well as on workflow files on the network computer (Excel spreadsheet).
Labware supplies and preparation including buffers, fixatives and stain components; cleaning of labware, including manual cleaning and dishwasher; ordering and maintaining lab supplies and autopsy supplies.
Performs duties for on-call brain autopsy program including carrying a cell phone and/or pager when on duty, responding by phone to calls 24/7 within 10 minutes of being called, reporting for duty at morgue within one and a half hours of being called, receiving the body from the transport company according to standard protocols, performing the role of brain team leader or body team leader, dissecting and processing the brain or body according to standard protocols, supervising an assistant during these protocols, and completing all documentation related to the autopsy.
Responsible for updating information in the shared database.
Performs related work, which may include assisting with animal surgery, analysis of microscopic slides, data analysis, review and summary of scientific literature and drafting of scientific publications.
This may involve working solo or with a team.
Customers are primarily internal to the organization. Occasionally does come into contact with outside vendors, couriers and professionals who bring specimens to the laboratory or take specimens/human remains from the laboratory/morgue.