Pathology Technician – Anatomic Pathology Core Lab – Days

VCU Health • Richmond, VA

2d

About The Position

Provides support services for clinical or anatomical laboratories by resolving problems with orders and/or specimens and responding to telephone inquiries about test results and specimen collection criteria. Depending on the site and applicable duties, responsibilities may include preparing coolers for blood delivery; receiving blood product inventory; scanning digital slides; filing slides and tissue blocks; performing equipment maintenance; receiving and delivering specimens and reports; and compiling case data, including correct specimen-site designations, to support appropriate testing by pathologists or technologists. The role may also perform CLIA-waived laboratory testing and register and accession patient material for the department.

Laboratory support functions may include developing and maintaining ordering and inventory processes, assisting with employee timekeeping, paying reference-laboratory invoices, data entry, and general glassware maintenance. The technician records workload and required quality-control information. Specimen processing duties include receiving specimens, accessioning orders in the laboratory computer system, verifying technical acceptability, and performing pre-analytical preparation. This may involve aliquoting, plating specimens for microbiologic growth, manipulating or preparing specimens for testing, preparing smears, and preparing specimens for shipment in accordance with laboratory policy and dangerous-goods handling requirements.

Depending on the site, the role may provide internal or external courier services, transporting items and meeting departmental delivery timeframes. A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record are required where driving between sites is required. The position serves all age groups and requires a customer-service orientation, required continuing education, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Rotating weekends and holidays are required as scheduled, and overtime may be needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a clinical laboratory, reference laboratory, or college-level laboratory coursework.
• Previous experience using a personal computer and entering data.
• A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record if required to drive between sites.
• Ability to meet the role's physical, mental, sensory, and emotional demands, including prolonged standing and sitting; reaching; repetitive typing, pipetting, and plating; lifting less than 20 pounds; exposure to biohazards, potentially infectious body fluids, hazardous chemicals, and reagents; strong recall, reasoning, and problem-solving; clear communication and legible writing; and working in a fast-paced, noisy environment with multiple priorities, frequent customer interactions, and frequent change.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of laboratory experience using basic laboratory principles and procedures and handling specimens.
• One year of post-high-school education in a health science field.

Responsibilities

• Resolve problems with laboratory orders and/or specimens and respond to telephone inquiries about test results and specimen collection criteria.
• Prepare coolers for blood delivery and receive blood product inventory where applicable.
• Scan digital slides and file slides and tissue blocks where applicable.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly equipment maintenance.
• Receive and deliver specimens and reports.
• Compile case data, including accurate specimen-site designations, to support appropriate testing by pathologists or technologists where applicable.
• Perform CLIA-waived laboratory testing where applicable.
• Register and accession patient material for the department.
• Develop and maintain ordering and inventory processes or systems as needed.
• Assist with employee timekeeping, pay reference-laboratory invoices, provide data-entry assistance, and maintain glassware as needed.
• Record workload and quality-control information as required for the area or department.
• Receive laboratory specimens, accession orders in the laboratory computer system, and verify technical specimen acceptability.
• Perform pre-analytical specimen preparation, including aliquoting, plating for microbiologic growth, specimen manipulation, and smear preparation as needed.
• Prepare specimens for shipping in an accurate, safe, and timely manner, following laboratory policy and dangerous-goods handling requirements.
• Provide internal and/or external courier services where applicable and meet departmental delivery timeframes.
• Complete required continuing education, communicate with a customer-service orientation, and maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Work rotating weekends and holidays as required and overtime as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED