Histopathology Technician

A Histopathology Technician at the full performance level uses independent judgement to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results.

The duties and responsibilities of the Histopathology Technician include, but are not limited to the following: - Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider. Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system.

Records workload data for the histopathology laboratory. Prepares specimens for examination by the pathologist. - Performs fixation techniques that are non-routine such as immunohistochemistry, muscle, and nerve studies, as well as bone decalcification.

Understands the unique fixation requirements of each type and size of specimen, and whether or not the specimen must have special treatment before fixation. - Must understand the difference in each type of tissue, how they will respond to different processing protocols, and to determine the correct processing fit for each individual specimen. - Embeds tissue of all sizes in the proper medium and in the proper manner for correct sectioning.

- Is able to operate the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness requested by the pathologist. - Performs routine and special stains as requested by the pathologist. This includes advanced staining techniques through automation and manual methods.

These procedures must be adapted to individual variance in specimen and stain performance. After each stain, the technician must accept or reject slides based upon the proper staining reactions before submitting to the pathologist for microscopic diagnosis. Manual and automated cover-slipping skills are also required.

- Frozen section preparation includes orienting and freezing the unfixed specimen in appropriate medium and sectioning it with a cryostat microtome. Unique staining and cover-slipping techniques are used for frozen sections. These procedures are done with the patient under anesthesia, with the surgeon waiting for results. Therefore, these procedures, while delicate, and complex, are for rapid, intra-operative diagnosis.

- Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification throughout all steps/processes in the histology laboratory. - Maintains histology equipment and instruments. - Maintains the frozen section and grossing area for pathologists; notifies lead histopathology technician when there is less than a 7-day supply of reagents, supplies, and tools.

- Prepare and ship specimens required for consultation. - Transcribes dictation from pathologists and enters the Anatomic Pathology reports and Autopsy Protocols into the VistA computer system. Support for the program includes patient report distribution and filing, as needed and selection/processing of professional review materials such as physician peer review and maintenance of these records.

- The incumbent will transcribe supplementary reports for histology specimens received from reference laboratories that required further testing not available at the VHSO laboratory. - Maintain block and slide files. - Performs and documents quality control and participates in quality assurance activities.

- Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory. - Identifies discrepancies. - Trains the same and lower grade technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation.

- Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying histopathology and cytopathology principles.

- Organizes work and sets priorities to mee deadlines. - Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed. - Performs phlebotomy and specimen processing as assigned.

- Incumbent may be assigned other duties within the incumbent's skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the service. Work Schedule: The schedule for this position offers multiple options and will be discussed during the interview process; subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Compressed schedule: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 564-00675-F, 564-00676-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized