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Under the general supervision of the Lab Manager or designee, the Pathology Technician will perform all specific core specimen accessioning, specimen reconciliation and validation, specimen handling and specimen/tissue processing tasks and workflow processes in accordance with established laboratory practice and standard operating procedures for anatomic pathology and cytology specimens. The Pathology Technician may be responsible for charting and logging safety and quality control information, inventory control of general and specimen handling supplies, disposal of waste, and preventive maintenance of equipment and work benches. With appropriate qualifications, may be involved in small biopsy processing.
Job Description:
Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but not limited to:
1. Able to perform general lab maintenance duties including but not limited to those listed and performed by Lab Assistants in Anatomic Pathology. Pathology Technicians are required to cover Lab Assistant duties as needed.
- Transport of specimens within the hospital (and associated documentation)
- Files specimens, blocks and slides for short term or long term archive.
- Properly handles and disposes all hazardous waste, both chemical and infectious. Maintains all hazardous waste according to lab standards.
- Maintains a clean work environment. Cleans and disinfects work area on a daily basis
2. Specimen receipt, verification and accessioning into the laboratory information system for all types of incoming Pathology and Cytology specimens:
- Effectively communicates in verbal or written forms with internal and external specimen transport courier(s), and various Lahey physician, nursing or ancillary services staff.
- Receives and accepts specimens including inspection of transport packaging, conditions of incoming specimen containers, accurate specimen patient identification labeling, order requisition forms and attestation forms.
- Identifies any inaccuracy, discrepancy, errors, mishandling, or missing specimens during the receiving/accessioning process. Responsible for documentation and communication of these identified errors as described in policies with notification to senior staff as needed. Records error events in the Lahey Safety Reporting system and internal laboratory QA logs.
- Initiates immediate corrective action for the resolution of any specimen management issue with the Lahey clinical service from where the specimen originated.
3. Specimen Processing (as assigned):
- Has a thorough understanding of tissue processing and oversees use of the tissue processors including loading, unloading and maintenance.
- Prepares and stains slides as assigned, from gynecologic pap test samples using the ThinPrep processing technique.
- Processes, prepares and stains slides as assigned, from non-gynecologic cytology specimens using various methods including ThinPrep, conventional smear, and cell block.
- Able to describe and document the appearance of non-gynecologic specimens upon receipt and determine and describe appropriate preparation in the gross description section of the case in EPIC.
- Able to load and unload and perform required maintenance on automated special staining equipment and other reagents used in the preparation of slides for special staining.
- Able to perform maintenance on immunohistochemistry stainers and other reagents used in the preparation of slides for immunohistochemistry.
- Understands and can initiate various slide staining methods used in Anatomic Pathology and Cytology Labs including but not limited to H&E, Pap Stain and Special Stains.
- Has in depth knowledge of the tissue processing, ThinPrep processing, staining (including H&E, Pap and Special Stains) and cover-slipping equipment.
- Participates in the validation and implementation of new specimen processing procedures, methods and equipment in conjunction with management and medical director directives.
- If assigned, understands and performs documentation and tracking for the testing send out process.
- If assigned and trained, may perform associated duties as diener for autopsy procedures. This includes transport and preparation of the body for autopsy, evisceration and removal of organs followed by suturing and cleaning of the body and autopsy suite.
- With additional qualification* (see below) and training, may process simple biopsies (those that do not require knowledge of anatomy and are completely submitted for microscopic evaluation) including description count, color, appearance and size under the direct supervision of a Pathologists
4. Slide Distribution:
- Offloads stained slides, organizes into slide trays and assures proper labeling, staining and tissue characteristics such that errors can be detected and addressed in preparation for delivery to pathologists.
- Assigns and distributes cases to pathologists or cytotechnologists per policy, including as necessary to outside affiliated facilities.
5. Maintains appropriate levels of supplies:
- Is minimally involved in monitoring stock levels of supplies and reagents and reports needs to staff responsible for ordering. May place orders directly in Workday.
- Ensures that the supplies are stored according to the manufacturers recommendation and maintained in appropriate quantity and location, and ordered/restocked in a timely manner.
6. Safety:
- Follows all safety guidance and policies and uses proper personal protective equipment.
- Disposes of waste (chemical, biological) in accordance with safety procedures and protocols.
- Recognizes and reacts properly to risk situations (spills, exposure to chemicals, fire, etc.)
7. Organizational Requirements:
- Maintains strict adherence to the Lahey Clinic Confidentiality Policy.
- Incorporates Lahey Clinic Guiding Principles, Mission Statement and Goals into daily activities.
- Complies with all Lahey Clinic Policies. Complies with behavioral expectations of the department and Lahey Clinic.
- Maintains courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.
- Demonstrates a commitment toward meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and consistently adheres to Customer Service standards.
- Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.
- Participates in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.
- Performs all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High school (or GED).
*The following additional qualifications are preferred but required only for those who will process simple biopsies: 1. An earned associate degree in a chemical or biological science or medical laboratory technology, obtained from an accredited institution, OR 2. Education/training equivalent to the above that includes the following: * 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution. This 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 HHS (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.
Licensure, Certification, Registration: None required
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:
- Ability to multitask – working in multiple areas of the department performing varied tasks.
- Ability to use a PC and PC based sofware.
- Ability to perform complex analytic tests and interpret findings. Ability to identify problems in the testing process.
Experience: 2 years in an anatomic pathology laboratory
Pay Range:
$23.15 – $31.16
The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.
