Lead Clinical Technician

The Lead Clinical Technician is a senior shift lead on the floor, responsible for providing daily workflow solutions, troubleshooting, incident investigation and support operations including schedule management and communications for each shift in the laboratory, which include roles of Clinical Technician-1, Clinical Technician-2, and Clinical Technician-3. Assists in histology duties including microtomy/cutting, specimen processing, slide staining/cover slipping and routine immunohistochemistry. Maintains the workflow of the IHC/Clinical Laboratory when the Laboratory General Supervisor or Chief Medical Officer are not present, understands delegation of authority and escalates issues as needed. Good communication skills, and ability to strictly follow procedures and quality control designations. Other duties in the laboratory include but are limited to: performing, assigning and/or assisting in equipment maintenance, maintaining/reviewing of logs generated in the laboratory, cutting/microtomy, and QC procedures and monitoring. Participates in a continuing education program, conduct, or assist with in-service training sessions sponsored by the department. Continues personal growth by preparing for additional duties and responsibilities.
Job Responsibilities:

• Assigns/Performs tissue sectioning and Immunohistochemistry staining of paraffin or fresh frozen tissue according to instructions daily. Maintains diagnostic viability of all specimens and ensures correct patient labeling. Cuts, prepares, and stains slides from histology specimens. Routinely checks and verifies that surgical case numbers match vials and slides, prints labels as appropriate.
• Perform and/or assist with specimen processing, to include receiving and accessioning.
• Keeps laboratory workflow moving and assists with workflow on the automated staining process.
• Performs and/or assist with staff evaluation as appropriate.
• Develops staff schedules, and makes adjustments as needed to maintain balance between staffing and case volumes.
• Address daily lab issues, making good business decisions.
• Performing corrective actions, training, and/or retraining of lab staff.
• Monitors inventory levels for control tissue and build in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Records information in laboratory LIMS.
• Investigates quality issues with specimen processing and communicates changes to procedures.
• Ensures QC procedures are followed and regular quality control processes are implemented on the appropriate timelines.
• Ensures laboratory equipment in proper working order, following appropriate laboratory safety protocols.
• Assigns/Prepares and/or maintains working solutions of special stains (H&E and Congo Red), including maintaining acceptable working volumes.
• Handles, prepares, and uploads manual stainer; conducts dehydrating and cover slips slides utilizing manual systems.
• Prepares, cleans, maintains, and shuts down laboratory equipment & accessories used in a daily and weekly manner.
• Follows the laboratory procedures for specimen handling and processing of Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence.
• Performs and documents proficiency testing (PT) samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Demonstrates capability of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and must either correct the problems or immediately notify the Laboratory Director.
• Documents all corrective action (Issue Review and CAPA system) taken when a test system deviates from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Reports all concerns of test quality and/or patient safety to the Laboratory General Supervisor and/or physicians.
• Assists as needed to perform related laboratory duties and special support projects as required.
• Maintains tissue inventories and discards residual tissue specimens at appropriate intervals. Maintains up-to-date inventories and records relating to tissues.
• Troubleshoots assay issues and related instrumentation.
• Maintains and revises as needed all related technical policies and procedures including instrument/equipment maintenance by maintaining equipment quality control and preventive maintenance.
• Accepts other duties as assigned, such as, R&D projects and Antibody Optimization.
• Ability to train, and/ or assist with the training of Clinical Technician-1 & Technician-2, Technician-3
• Continues to seek and recommend process improvements.

• 3+ years of experience in histology or clinical/molecular laboratory
• 1 year in the CND Laboratory system of operations and competent to train staff in all areas of production.
• Demonstrated skills in technical data interpretation and ability to troubleshoot.
• Demonstrated ability to take and follow direction and to know who the resources are for their direction.
• Understanding of the equipment used daily; including, but not limited to, mounting microscopes, immunofluorescent microscope, Cryostar, and general data printer.
• Adequate experience in routine histology to act as a resource for other team members.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, and general working knowledge of Internet for business use.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-past, deadline driven environment.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-past, deadline driven environment.
• Drive for Results (Service, Quality, and Continuous Improvement)
• Ensure procedures and processes are in place that lead to delivery of quality results and continually reassess their effectiveness to achieve continuous improvement.
• Communication - Proficient verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to share and receive information and ideas from all levels of the organization to achieve the desired results.
• Teamwork - Commitment to the successful achievement of team and organizational goals through a desire to participate with and help other members of the team.
• Customer Service Focus - Demonstrate a focus on listening to and understanding client/customer needs and then delighting the client/customer by exceeding service and quality expectations.
• Ability to adjust to constant operational changes
• Focused and detailed oriented.

• BS in Science or related science required.

• Ability to use copiers, fax machines, and PDF scanners to keep inventory and ordering records. Visual acuity and analytical skill to distinguish sufficient detail.
• Manual dexterity to use standard laboratory equipment and perform sterile techniques as required.
• Must possess the ability to sit or stand for long periods.
• Must possess the ability to perform repetitive motion.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• May have exposure to biohazardous material in the lab environment. Exposure to xylene, paraformaldehyde, and alcohol, which emit fumes. Xylene is a known carcinogen and paraformaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen.
• Working with tissue that may contain blood-borne pathogens and use sharps. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended and offered by the employer.
• Shift: Availability to work weekends. The primary shift will be Tuesday-Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm.