| The VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System is seeking one highly energetic and motivated individual to join our team as a Lead Histopathology Technologist in our Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System. This individual serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more difficult, complex or unique tests requiring special knowledge. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. This histotechnologist acts as an expert within the anatomic pathology section and technical advisor for all other histology staff. Duties of the position include and are not limited to: Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual and automated techniques Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments, both individual and team related Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity Ability to perform specialized microtomy for various applications Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines from organizations such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission (TJC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation Skill in planning and administering an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards Examines and describes, using dictating equipment, gross surgical specimens, noting size, color, consistency and anatomic orientation, identifying abnormalities and removing appropriate tissue samples for microscopic examination and diagnosis. Orders additional procedures that are appropriate to specific specimens and/or disease states Maintains constant surveillance over work to assure proper processing of tissue specimens, especially those requiring special handling (e.g. immunofluorescence, special histological staining or techniques, etc.), independently evaluating the acceptability of submitted material and, acting for the Chief, Anatomic pathology Service, returning unacceptable specimens, with explanation, to the contributor Prepares frozen sections for the Pathologist to include gross description, cryostat sectioning and staining of glass slides Processes all cytological specimens: Prepares smears, cellblocks and special stains Assists the Pathologist with Fine Needle Aspirations Embeds tissue with proper orientation in a variety of media Utilizes a microtome or cryostat to section embedded tissue Determines the appropriate number of levels to cut for the type of embedded specimen Determines which special stain is required to demonstrate tissue elements and properties Performs microscopic evaluation of stains for acceptability of stain reaction through the utilization of positive and negative quality control Performs complex immunohistochemical procedures and staining Provides guidance to pathologists and other staff members on immunohistochemical antibodies and their specificities Prepares Histology for the Joint Commission, OSHA, EPA and the College of American Pathologists inspections Assesses the level of technical performance achieved by staff members and trainees (if applicable). Employs a variety of teaching techniques, approaches and methods, tailoring them to meet the individual learning requirements of each student Trains staff members and trainees (if applicable) in the performance of post-mortem dissection and thorough examination of visceral organs, and brain and spinal cord, demonstrating standard as well as specialized procedures that are considered best suited for the assessment of specific disease states Evaluates, selects and adapts educational and training aids and resource materials, and develops original training materials as needed, to reflect current knowledge, and changes in policies and procedures, both in general use and those specific to this institution, to achieve the learning and training objectives of the Anatomic Pathology Service and Department of Pathology Other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0700 - 1530, to include rotational weekends and holidays Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
