Surgical Pathology Technologist

Responsibilities:

• Using independent medical judgment and minimal supervision identifies, measures, weighs, and describes tissue specimens under direction and supervision of the pathologist.
• Is delegated by the Technical Supervisor to perform laboratory high complexity laboratory testing in a compliant manner i.e. specimen grossing.
• Follows the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Performs laboratory testing in a compliant manner.
• Maintains regulatory knowledge and awareness as it pertains to specific job duties.
• Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies, document all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Assumes responsibility for and takes action regarding any quality control or quality assurance issues as it pertains to specific job duties.
• Maintains instruments and equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
• Assumes responsibility for good documentation practices and maintains clear and legible records.
• Performs proficiency testing in compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations i.e. analyze proficiency survey sample in the same manner as a patient specimens, no communication with other CLIA laboratories, complete record retention and accurate documentation and result reporting.
• Assumes responsibility for participation in continuing education, professional development and required annual competency assessment.
• Follows the laboratory's established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either must correct the problems or immediately notify the General Supervisor, Technical Supervisor, Clinical Consultant, or Laboratory Director.
•  Exercises good judgment, analytical and problem solving/troubleshooting skills.
• Recommends solutions and improvements
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Processes special tissue studies per protocol, i.e., muscle, nerve, kidney or lymphoma.
• Prepares frozen sections for rapid diagnosis; prepares specimens for processing.
• Receives tissue specimens, assigns accession number, distributes per protocol; performs patient and specimen data entry; completes quality assurance documentation for requisition, specimen, and processing problems.
• Performs radiographs of gross specimens
• Prepares specimens for storage; transports and processes specimens; maintains specimen records.
• Requires strong verbal and written communication skills as well as excellent customer service and organizational skills; ability to interact at all levels of the organization and work independently as well as problem solve and troubleshoot.
• Assumes responsibility for participation in continuing education, professional development and required annual competency assessment.
• Assists with the instruction of residents, visiting physicians, tech trainees and new employees regarding surgical pathology techniques and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required for the department.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university AND have education and training equivalent to high complexity testing personnel per CLIA. See Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42 §493.1489(b)(2)(ii) Standard; High Complexity Testing Personnel Qualifications.
• Diploma and/or transcripts must be provided.
• Education will be verified.
• Education outside of the United States requires diploma/transcripts translated into English and proof of foreign equivalency from a NACES (National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc) member.

Certifications:

• None required.

Complexity of Work:

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work unsupervised or with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• None required.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires manual dexterity and visual acuity required when handling gross specimens and utilizing instrumentation, ability to safely handle potentially infectious patient specimens, carcinogenic substances, odorous and other hazardous materials to which they may be regularly exposed.
• Visual acuity to study specimens under a microscope.
• The ability to distinguish colors.
• Typical physical demands include ability to sit or stand extensively and frequent walking, occasional lifting or carrying of 5 to 40 pounds.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.