Histotechnician I/Administrative Coordinator - Histology

Christie Clinic's department of Histology is seeking a full-time Histotechnician I/Administrative Coordinator (Sign-On Bonus Available) at the Fields clinic in Champaign with varied hours between Monday-Friday 5:00am-3:30pm, with occassional Saturdays and the ability to cover other clinics, as needed, to support the department.

The responsibilities of a trained laboratory professional that provides anatomic pathology services, under direction of Pathologists.  Duties include performs macroscopic examination and submission of tissues, prepares histologic slides from human tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologist. Provides ancillary morphology services during procedures, as appropriate to the objectives of the position.

JOB DUTIES: (This list may not include all the duties assigned.)

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

•  Prepares sections of human tissue for examination, using tissue processing technique to cut, mount, and stain tissue specimens.
• Operates computerized laboratory equipment to fix, dehydrate, and infiltrate with wax, tissue specimens to be preserved for study by pathologist; maintains and troubleshoots delicate electronic histological equipment.
• Performs computerized data entry of all work performed and generates reports as required.
• May supervise and train technicians on histology procedures, including tissue cut down, embedding, cutting, and staining.
• Maintains all histologic manuals in the laboratory; recommends and develops new services, projects, and procedures.
• Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Will abide by Laboratory policies and perform all procedures in a manner that assures compliance with requirements of CLIA, CAP, HIPAA, HFAP, and any other Laboratory/hospital regulatory agency.
• Performs all procedures under the direct or indirect supervision of a pathologist according to established policy and consults with a pathologist under conditions of uncertainty.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patients and/or Laboratory related information accessed.
• Conducts all activities in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and promotes the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
•  In accordance with established Laboratory policy, evaluates acceptability and appropriateness of specimens submitted for examination and takes appropriate action if labeling is insufficient or specimen submission compromises the specimen integrity.
• Performs macroscopic examination, dissection, description, and submission of tissue specimens in accordance with established protocols.
• Assures adequate supply inventory by notifying Histology personnel of any low inventory levels.
• Properly handles and submits tissues for esoteric testing according to established mail-out procedures.
• Assists in the organization and coordination and participates in appropriate medical conferences and required continuing education.
• Carries out special assignments and projects as assigned by the supervising pathologists.
• Maintain and order inventory.
• Send out material for Pathology second opinions or external block requests.
• Retrieve reports from Reference lab for send out Pathology and sent to scanning for upload.
• Receive in tumor board cases or external consult cases for the Pathologists.
• Help collect and track Pathology statistics.
• Pathology and help maintain the Book of Evidence for both AP and Histology
• Potential for travel to other lab locations.  Mileage will be reimbursed after employee submits to supervisor. 

Performance Requirements:

•  Must understand the underlying scientific purposes and principles of the Anatomic Pathology, as well as the technical and procedural aspects of specimen preparation, examination, dissection, and submission.
• Must be able to recognize unacceptable specimens and inadequate patient/specimen information.
• Must be familiar with specimen terminology, histology laboratory techniques and procedures, specimen handling protocols, the use of job specific laboratory equipment, and universal precautions.
• Must have a general comprehension of the factors that affect health and disease including age related factors and the importance of laboratory tests to medical care.
• Must be familiar with the various services available in the clinic and have an understanding and appreciation of the roles and interrelationships of paramedical and other health-related fields.
• Must be capable of performing technically demanding tests.
• Must have theoretic understanding of quality assurance.
• Must have working knowledge of the accuracy, precision, and/or expected results for current methods.
• Ability to efficiently operate a variety of standard office machines including a personal computer, computer software, (i.e. Word, Excel) phone, fax, shredding equipment, copier, and any other operating system utilized for this position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree and certification from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) accredited program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Six months’ experience as HT post training

CERTIFICATE/LICENSE:

• Certified through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and practices under the credentials of HT (ASCP).

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Demands include sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, stretching, and lifting to 25 pounds.  Visual acuity and normal color perception is mandatory.  Hearing within, or correctable to, normal range, vision correctable to 20/20 and manual dexterity for the operation of office equipment is required.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a laboratory setting with frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.  Requirements may include working irregular hours.

PAY AND BENEFITS:

The estimated pay range for this position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related criteria. We also offer a substantial benefits package, including:

·   Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Personal, Holiday, Birthday)

·   Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

·   401k Plan

·   Medical Flexible Spending Account

·   Health Insurance

·   Group Term Life Insurance

·   Dental Insurance

·   Identity Theft Protection

·   Vision Insurance

·   Long Term Disability

·   Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance