Histotechnician

Summary:

Assist the Mohs surgeon during the grossing of specimens; process, embed, cut, and stain tissue specimens. In addition, the Histology Technician is responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment, cleanliness of the laboratory area and ensuring the lab is meeting CLIA regulatory compliance. For days where Mohs procedures are not scheduled, the Histology Technician will obtain prior authorizations, schedule procedures, give patients instructions, and assist with prescription refills.

Essential Functions:

• To log required and regulated temperatures and reagents maintenance of all equipment as required by CLIA and other regulating agencies on the equipment’ log with dates and initials.
• To prepare blocks for cutting including facing, cooling and printing of slides.
• To prepare slides for staining and accurately label with identifiers as per our policy.
• To prepare slides for Quality Control.
• To receive, and log specimens as per policy in Mohs manual.
• To perform gross examination of specimens as instructed by the policies and procedures in the presence of a Pathologist or Mohs surgeon.
• Send Peer to Peer slides as per our policy.
• To diligently follow all lab procedures in the preparation of tissue samples for pathological testing.

• To be aware of and strictly comply with all OSHA (safety) and CLIA (lab certification and registration) and HIPAA (patient confidentiality) regulations in the performance of all aspects of the position.
• To efficiently organize, file and be able to locate all slides, containers and log reports and dispose them as necessary per CLIA regulations.
• Ensure all lab logs and manuals are kept up to date including but not limited to: Mohs log, autoclave log, temperature log, chemical log, Mohs/CLIA manual, SDS sheets, etc.
• To appropriately maintain all solutions and stains used in the pathological testing process according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• To operate, clean and sterilize laboratory equipment, glassware and instruments, ensuring a clean work area at all times.
• To courteously, professionally and in a timely manner, respond to routine laboratory inquiries both internal and external, whether in writing, in person or over the phone.
• To maintain an adequate supply of all items necessary for laboratory operations by maintaining an accurate and timely inventory and ordering supplies bi-weekly.
• To continually update the laboratory manuals by staying abreast of new product/chemical and other new laboratory information and ensuring all updates are made in the manual and communicated appropriately.
• To participate in continuing education through required meeting attendance, including in-service meetings and educational programs.
• To participate in cross-training for other employees as requested.

• To provide feedback to supervisors regarding laboratory policies and procedures to ensure continual improvement of processes.
• Follow our Code of Conduct at all times: treat peers, superiors, subordinates, patients and vendors with fairness, courtesy and professionalism and contribute to the overall positive work environment of the clinic.

• To perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Requires Associate Degree or MA certificate.
• Requires program trained through graduation from technical institute or college or on-the-job trained as a result of more than one year experience as a Mohs Pathology Tech.
• Requires knowledge of medical terminology and standard diagnostic laboratory protocols.
• Requires ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Requires visual acuity and normal color perception.
• Requires ability to stand for extended periods of time to access and operate diagnostic equipment.
• Requires ability to communicate clearly in person and on the phone, and establish/maintain cooperative relationships with physicians, staff and other customers.
• Requires ability to maintain confidentiality in strict adherence to HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations.
• Requires ability to interact in a consistently professional and courteous manner with co-workers, patients, physicians and all others with whom contact occurs in the workplace.
• Requires ability to read, understand and follow oral and/or written instructions in English.
• Reliable personal transportation, automobile insurance and willingness to travel to other offices as needed.

Position Performance Criteria:

• Thoroughly and accurately prepares specimen for cutting.
• Provides high quality slides to surgeon for interpretation.
• Accurately labels slides.
• Preps and sends slides for Peer-to-Peer review as per policy.
• Accurately performs, interprets, and applies policies and procedures using sound judgment as is related to overall laboratory operations, including Immunohistochemistry.
• Thoroughly and accurately maintains all slides, reports, files, logs, inventories, manuals and other items and information related to laboratory operations.
• Communicates clearly, professionally, and respectfully to patients, superiors, subordinates, and others.
• Efficiently organizes and prioritizes workflow, including alerting supervisor/manager of excessive lab volume when normal turnaround timelines may be compromised.
• Is aware of and consistently maintains OSHA (safety), CLIA (lab certification and registration) and HIPAA (patient confidentiality) compliance.
• Demonstrates high reliability through consistent punctuality and attendance.
• Demonstrates overall professionalism in attitude, demeanor and personal appearance.