Gross Room Technologist - Health Care Intermediate Professional

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Pathology

Job Title:  Gross Room Technologist - Health Care Intermediate Professional

Position # 00817175:  - Requisition #:31614

Job Summary:

The Pathology Grossing Technician (GT) is an allied health professional who provides technical support in anatomic pathology under the direction of the Gross Room supervisor and surgical pathology faculty.  The laboratory receives and processes specimens from the operating rooms and clinics throughout the hospital and Health Care organization.

The GT grosses simple anatomic pathology specimens as well as interacting with other allied health professionals, such as nurses and support staff, to ensure adequate and appropriate processing of patient specimens.

Additionally, the GT must have a broad understanding of the day-to-day operations of the Gross Room and is critical in maintaining organization and efficiency. 

Examples of Work Performed:

Primary: 85%

• 14%  Proper accessioning of surgical pathology specimens assuring proper identification and completeness of requisition.
• 13%  Grosses simple, non-complicated surgical pathology specimens, including core biopsies, small biopsies, bone marrows, curettings, skin biopsy and excisions.
• 13%  Supports pathologists, residents, pathologists' assistants, lab assistants and student interns.
• 13% Uses cryostat to section intraoperative frozen sections and assists in staining frozen section slides.
• 12% Triages specimens according to proper protocols and requirements for ancillary studies and/or Biorepository tissue collection.
• 10% Attends renal biopsy procedures to assess biopsy adequacy.
• 10% Ensure patient confidentiality by following the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and adhering to other departmental and hospital policies.

Secondary: 15%

• 5% Facilitates organization of cassettes and transport to tissue processors. 
• 5% Documents time data points for various tracking mechanisms.
• 4% Photograph pertinent gross specimens.
• 1% Assumes other responsibilities as directed by the supervisor.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is in Aurora, Colorado.

Why Join Us:

Welcome to the Department of Pathology of the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. The Department has grown substantially in the past 15 years, from 40 to 120 faculty in parallel with the remarkable growth of our hospital-based affiliates as well as the city and county of Denver.  Our work is value driven and focused on scientific investigation, lifelong learning, and a balance of personal and professional values. In addition to a vibrant and highly competitive residency program with 25 positions, we offer 9 fellowships and participate in numerous graduate schools and the MD/PhD program of the CU School of Medicine.  Our faculty and staff are diverse, and gender balanced, with women comprising 50% of our Residents, Instructors as well as our Assistant, Associate and Full Professors (including those with tenure).

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off - vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness.

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology. 
  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis, but not for the specific experience or certification.
• Or bachelor's degree must include minimally 60 semester hours or equivalent, that includes either:
  • 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses OR
  • 24 semester hours - 6 chemistry, 6 biology and 12 chemistry, biology, medical laboratory technology in any combination.
• 1 year of professional level experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience in a clinical lab. 
• Experience using laboratory equipment such as complex machinery and staining systems.
• Experience using MS Word and Excel. Preferred experience will include developing reports, spreadsheets, and databases using the mentioned software programs.
• Experience entering data into an electronic system.
• Experience with medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology.
• Experience cleaning and maintaining laboratories and lab equipment.
• Experience working within an educational medical lab environment in laboratories.

Conditions of Employment: Must be willing and able to...

• Lift, push, and/or pull up to 20 lbs.
• Work in an environment that may expose you to fumes, chemicals, liquid nitrogen, extreme cold, blood/body fluids, and infectious disease.
• Frequently wash your hands, as biohazardous materials may be present.
• Sit and stand for long periods of time, frequently walk, and bend/ stoop, as well as execute repetitive motions.
• Work with complex and sharp laboratory equipment, and various chemical and biological solutions.
• Practice universal safety precautions according to hospital policy and procedures always (e.g., use of gloves, lab coat, and other Personal Protective Equipment).
• Work within a high-level secure facility.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Decision Making:

• Exercise sound personal judgement in describing surgical pathology specimens and the way they organize daily workflow. 
• Understand when and how to consult a supervisor about various issues.  The GT must always pay strict attention to detail and show a willingness to resolve issues or seek a supervisor to do so.

Results of Actions:

• Grossing errors and specimen mix-ups can be devastating to the patient and potentially lead to an inaccurate diagnosis. 

Communications:

• Internal and external communications are frequent both interdepartmentally which include pathology staff, trainees, and faculty as well as throughout the service area to include clinicians, nurses, transcriptionists, transport, etc. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Successful candidates for a GT position must have organizational skills and strong attention to detail which are required to plan and coordinate workflow to meet patient care requirements and provide satisfactory turnaround time of tests.
• Ideal candidate has experience grossing simple anatomic pathology specimen and documented proficiency. 
• The incumbent must maintain competency and keep abreast of changing techniques and requirements in Anatomic Pathology dissection.
• Working knowledge of computers is required to accession specimens, process specimens, and look up patient history in the electronic medical record.
• Effective team and interpersonal skills including oral and written communication.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position (only use if a cover letter is necessary)
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Matt Bilby Matt.Bilby@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $56,358 to $71,688.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.