Pathology Grossing Technician - Clinical Laboratory - Full Time/Days - Req#1996809302

Brief Description

Job Objective:

Under the direction of the Laboratory Director and under the direct supervision of the Pathologist, the Pathology grossing technician is responsible for the timely processing of a variety of laboratory specimens, including comprehensive macroscopic examination and evaluation of all surgical pathological specimens and other non-complexity or high complexity testing. Duties include preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical specimens. A pathologist will be physically present on-site, in the facility, and available for immediate consultation during the entire time the work is being performed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties

• Under direct supervision of a pathologist, perform and/or assist in dissection, preparation and grossing of a full range of surgical specimens, including requests for additional material submission.
• Proofread gross description to verify accuracy of sections taken and terminology used.
• Performs or assists in frozen sections and other intra-operative consultations, as needed.
• Utilize appropriate tools to dissect surgical specimens (bone saw, etc.).
• Identify, investigate, and resolve problems related to pathology specimens.
• Pick up, accession, label and create cassettes for surgical, outpatient and cytological specimens.
• Set up grossing area for next day with supplies as needed.
• Assure proper maintenance of equipment (working with Biomed/Engineering/Vendors when needed), ordering/stocking of adequate supplies and cleanliness of surgical pathology workstations (including cryostats and stain line) daily.
• Dispose of tissue and chemicals according to AVMC guidelines.
• Maintain cleanliness of grossing equipment.
• Filter/replace chemicals in stain line and maintain cleanliness of containers.
• Handle pathology specimens, cassettes and chemicals, including pouring formalin into specimen containers, as needed.
• Ensure proper identification of pathology specimens, including fetuses, as needed.
• Maintain quality control/assurance activities and records and assist with regulatory inspections as needed.
• Maintain integrity of patient information throughout processing (verifying cassettes, slides, specimens and patient record).
• Complete daily grossing logs; maintain files and records.
• Obtain/process and send specimens for specialized analysis (such as flow cytometry, etc.).
• Obtain and evaluate relevant clinical history (such as imaging reports, laboratory data, etc.) as needed when grossing.
• Take specimens to Radiology for imaging studies as needed.
• Use APS software to review previous pathology, radiology reports to better gross specimens.
  
  

Non-Essential Duties

• Answer phone requests for reports, results, etc.
• File specimen slides and blocks.
• Discard slides and blocks.
• Respond to facility/doctor requests for patient material.
• Other miscellaneous Pathology duties as needed.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of pathology procedure, protocols for special handling of surgical specimens, and techniques including comprehensive macroscopic examination and evaluation of all surgical pathological specimens.
• Knowledge of quality standards and requirements for pathology specimen photographs.
• Knowledge of safe handling of biological specimens.
• Knowledge of chemical reagents and equipment used in the Pathology Department.
• Knowledge of reagent stability and storage.
• Knowledge of the APS software.
  
  

Skills

• Skill required for implementing all standard Pathology procedures.
• Skill required for performing each test method and for proper instrument use and maintenance.
• Skill required utilizing appropriate tools to properly and efficiently dissect specimens as needed.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot instrumentation.
• Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
• Ability to exhibit courteous, helpful, and professional behavior in dealing with patients, public, and peers.
  
  

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.
  
  

Education and Experience:

Education

• An earned associate degree in chemical or biological science or medical laboratory technology, obtained from an accredited institution OR
• Education /training equivalent to the above that includes the following:
• 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution. The education must include 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that includes six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination, AND
• Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLS, or other organization approved by HSS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), OR
• At least three months of recorded laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.
  

Experience

• 2 years of experience as a pathology grossing technician with direct supervision, is preferred.
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• California does not currently require a license or certification to practice.
  
  

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information.
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties.
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.
• Display a willingness to work as a team player.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform duties in a normal hospital clinical laboratory environment, which includes exposure to chemicals, biohazards, handling of biological specimens, and use of PPE.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and walk for transportation of specimens and supplies.
• Requires frequent lifting of less than 10 lbs. with occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
  
  

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Education

• An earned associate degree in chemical or biological science or medical laboratory technology, obtained from an accredited institution OR
• Education /training equivalent to the above that includes the following:
• 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution. The education must include 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that includes six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination, AND
• Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLS, or other organization approved by HSS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), OR
• At least three months of recorded laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.
  

Experience

• 2 years of experience as a pathology grossing technician with direct supervision, is preferred.
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• California does not currently require a license or certification to practice.