JOB SUMMARY

The Histotechnician position is responsible for processing all specimens received in the Histology Laboratory under minimal supervision. The Histotechnologist receives all histology specimens and processes them using various methodologies, complex machinery, and staining systems. The Histotechnologist will then prepare the slides for Pathologist review by cutting prepared blocks of tissue utilizing complex machinery. Histotechnologists are then responsible for appropriately staining the slides whether with routine, special or immunohistochemical stains. The position is also responsible for the maintenance of the histology area by maintaining inventory and supplies, cleaning and organizing of workstations, disposal of biological waste, adherence to all compliance and operational procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate Degree medical technology, biological science or equivalent to qualify for HT exam required
• 1-2 years experience in histology laboratory preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to solve problems and innovate solutions.
• Demonstrated detail-orientation and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work autonomously and contribute as a team.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with healthcare personnel.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of and adherence to lab safety protocols and procedures.

• Quality
• Performs testing per protocols/procedures
• Writes legibly and accurately, with complete documentation
• Documents quality control procedures performed
• Maintains clean and safe working environment
• Verifies the name of tube or specimen with requisition, and investigates abnormal results, correlates test results with diagnosis, and questions incompatible results
• Documents preventative maintenance performed
• Ensure that supplies are available, and notifies appropriate personnel when low. Ensures that all reagents and solutions are properly prepared, labeled and stored.
• Correlates laboratory methods, procedures, and patient test results with age-specific population criteria
• Quantity / Timeliness
• Promptly arrives for the designated shift
• Performs testing in a timely manner
• Demonstrates the ability to set priorities
• Completes work assigned during shift without sacrificing quality of care
• Maintains standards in time sensitive testing
• Continually uses time to department advantage
• Job Knowledge
• Follows policies and procedures regarding patient care, with special attention to biohazard procedures.
• Always practices and supports safety in the workplace by using PPE (goggles, lab jackets, gloves, etc.).
• Assists in orientation of new staff members as necessary.
• Recognizes how the Histology Technician position and duties relate to the overall function of the laboratory and the hospital in view of patient care. Has written and oral communication abilities to comprehend technical material and communicate with medical professionals.
• Performs clinical laboratory examinations as well as clerical duties as needed primarily in the histology section of the laboratory. May be required to perform duties in cytology area of the laboratory depending on the scope of the laboratory’s activity and availability of personnel. Typically these duties include certain clerical and pre-analytic functions.
• Performs clinical laboratory examinations on tissue. Performs histological clinical laboratory examinations. Prepares, processes, embeds, cuts, and stains tissue preparations of material derived from the human body to provide material to a pathologist for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principle of growth and development over the life spans and possesses the ability to assess data reflected on the patient’s status and is able to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relevant to his/her ago-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policy and procedures.
• Dependability/Initiative/Cooperation
• Limits personal telephone calls
• Demonstrates an ability to assess the situation, consider alternatives, and choose the appropriate action
• Demonstrates confidence in learning new routines and methods
• Performs duties in an independent manner with little or no direct supervision
• Recognizes and performs duties which need to be performed although not directly assigned
• Makes suggestions regarding laboratory services to improve performance; strives to be an effective and productive member of the laboratory staff
• Completes all mandatory inservice requirements before deadlines.
• Maintains professional manner at all times; accepts and profits from constructive criticism
• Dresses according to hospital and departmental dress code
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.