HISTOLOGY TECHNICIAN

FULL-TIME: $10,000.00 SIGN-ON BONUS ELIGIBLE Shift: Monday-Friday, Daylight hours, no weekends or holidays. *Days and hours are subject to change.The Histology position will consider Technician and Technologist levels of the career ladder. The final title and pay will be determined by education, experience, and certification.Histology TechnicianProcesses and prepares pathology specimens to produce quality diagnostic slides for examination by a pathologist. Competent in the performance of routine and special stains.Essential Job Functions Accessions and systematically organizes specimens to safeguard specimen identification and integrity.Prepares for and assists in the grossing of specimens with a pathologist.readies the grossing area in an organized manner to assist the pathologist and efficiently prioritize workflowSupplies materials to the pathologist as needed-gloves, surgical instruments, inks, etc.accurately documents specimens, blocks and slides as the pathologist grossesorders blocks, levels, frozen sections, path determinations, photos, flow cytometry tracking, touch preps, special stains and special requests as neededcleans the grossing station and instruments when the pathologist is finished, maintaining the area in a safe and sanitary conditionOperates and maintains equipment in accordance with guidelines.loads and starts processors at day's end, choosing the appropriate program for processingoperates microtomes, cryostats, staining equipment, recycler, etc., as trained and according to guidelinesperforms routine, preventative and corrective maintenance, resolving problems as they occurdocuments maintenance as performed; assists in keeping accurate records of preventative and corrective maintenance performed by outside vendorsEmbeds, cuts and performs routine stains on tissue sections.Demonstrates competency in performance of routine and special stains.Prepares slides for reading by pathologist.coverslips slides using manual or automated methodslabels slides accurately, ensuring positive patient identification with clear notation of slide source and stain procedurefacilitates the distribution of slides between pathologists to provide timely progression of workflowPerforms and completes frozen sections.produces quality frozen section slides with accurate identification of patient and sourceperforms frozen section procedure and delivers slides to pathologist in a manner that allows for a 20 minute or less turnaround timedocuments receipt and delivery of the frozen sectionfollows written protocols for cleaning, defrosting and decontamination of the cryostats, documents in the QC manualParticipates in routine departmental tasks.files slides and paraffin blocks accurately and independentlyrestocks supplies as neededperforms recycling when necessarymaintains adequate supplies of filled specimen containersmakes reagents, filters stains according to established protocolsperforms supply inventory and places stock and non-stock orders as neededMaintains skills in utilization of Pathology, LIS and HIS computer system functions.Works with the pathology software on a daily basis for accessioning and documentation of specimens, pulling work lists, ordering slides, labels, etc.Uses the pathology software to document tracking issues, QA variances, etc.monitors reports to track specimens and/or results as neededFunctions in an organized and independent manner, complying with policy and procedures to cooperatively enhance department operations.cognitive of the importance of clear and concise communication between pathologists, histologists, manager and medical secretarieshandles requests from the pathologists in a timely mannerrecognizes areas for improvement in department operations, contributes to and participates in quality management processesparticipates in section readiness to meet CAP, JCAHO, OSHA and DOH compliancemaintains competency in assigned areas, and completes assessments in a timely and independent mannerparticipates in continuing education programs, staff meetings, etc., as appropriateFunctions as cytopreparatory tech for preparation of gyne and non-gyne thin prep specimens.Other duties as assigned.Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]Required Qualifications/Experience High School Diploma or GED or higher level of education.Completion of the educational requirements needed to take the Histotechnician (HT) exam:Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited HT program OR;High School Diploma or GED and at least 60 semester hours of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 12 semester hours of biology and chemistry. OR Bachelor of Science or Associate of Science with one (1) to two (2) years of histology experience.Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.Basic Math and Keyboard ProficiencyBasic working knowledge of computers and office equipmentProblem solving involving several variables in or from standardized situations.Apply technical principles. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.High level of visual acuity (with/without correction) necessary for very close inspection and attention to minute detail, very small objects and scant variations in color.Preferred Qualifications/Experience None preferred.License, Certification & ClearancesObtain HT (ASCP) or HTL (ASCP) certification within fifteen (15) months of hire or transfer.Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police systemMust complete HAZMAT training in 90 daysPosition Type/Expected Hours of WorkIncumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).Travel may be expected locally between System locations.Equal Employment OpportunityIndependence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.DisclaimerThis job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.Work EnvironmentEffective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelinesWhen lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.Essential – Absolute Necessity.Marginal – Minimal Necessity.Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.Physical ConditionEssentialMarginalConstantlyFrequentlyOccasionallyRarelyNeverExtreme HeatxExtreme ColdxHeightsxConfined SpacesxExtreme Noise(>85dB)xMechanical HazardsxxUse of Vibrating ToolsxOperates Vehicle (company)xOperates Heavy EquipmentxUse of Lifting/Transfer DevicesxxRotates All Shiftsxx8 Hours Shiftsxx10-12 Hours ShiftsxOn-CallxxOvertime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)xxTravel Between SitesxxDirect Patient CarexRespirator Protective EquipmentxxEye ProtectionxxHead Protection (hard hat)xHearing ProtectionxHand ProtectionxxFeet, Toe ProtectionxBody ProtectionxxLatex ExposurexxSolvent ExposurexxPaint (direct use) ExposurexDust (sanding) ExposurexEthylene Oxide ExposurexCytotoxic (Chemo) ExposurexBlood/Body Fluid ExposurexxChemicals (direct use) ExposurexxMist ExposurexWax Stripper (direct use)xNon-Ionizing Radiation ExposurexxIonizing Radiation ExposurexLaser ExposurexPhysical DemandsWhen lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.Essential – Absolute Necessity.Marginal – Minimal Necessity.Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.Physical ConditionEssentialMarginalConstantlyFrequentlyOccasionallyRarelyNeverBending (Stooping)xxSittingxxWalkingxxClimbing StairsxxxClimbing LaddersxStandingxxKneelingxxSquatting (Crouching)xxTwisting/TurningxxKeyboard/Computer OperationxGross GraspxFine Finger ManipulationxxHand/Arm CoordinationxxPushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)xxCarryxxTransfer/Push/Pull PatientsxSeeing Near w/AcuityxxFeeling (Sensation)xxColor VisionxxHearing ClearlyPulling/Pushing Objects OverheadxxReaching Above Shoulder LevelxxReaching ForwardxxLifting Floor to Knuckle###10-29#30-49#50>50#Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle###10-19#20-29#30->50#Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder###10-19#20-29#30->50#Lifting Shoulder to Overhead###10->50#When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.