Histotech II

Job Title: Histotech II

Location: RWJ - Somerset

Department Name: Lab RWJSH

Req #: 0000252739

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $37.72 - $50.92 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Summary of Job Function

• Prepares tissue specimens so they may be reviewed by the pathologist for diagnosis,
• Performs special stains as well as routine hematoxylin and eosin stains,
• Performs immunohistochemical stains for further diagnosis,

Education:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• HT or HTL certification through ASCP preferred

Experience:

Must be able to prepare tissue specimens of a quality that can be diagnosed by a pathologist,

Work Environment and Hazards

Exposure to blood borne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis viruses, and other pathogenic organisms,

Required to wear protective garments such as gloves, mask, goggles, lab coat, gown, or apron and work under a biological fume safety cabinet,

Refer to the RWJ Somerset and OSHA Exposure Control Plan, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and the policies on Standard Precautions and Safety,

Special Physical Demands

A physical condition that allows reaching and general mobility within the department and to other hospital departments,

Manual dexterity is required,

Visual acuity must be such as to enable accurate performance of essential job duties,

Hearing and speech must permit direct and telephone communication,

In addition, must be able to function under rapidly changing and stressful conditions,

Sitting, standing, walking, some bending and lifting up to 50 pounds,

Environment of Care:

Demonstrates the awareness of safety, security, life safety, preparedness and utility and equipment management policies competencies;

Adheres to Standard Precautions

Adheres to Safety and Infection

Control policies

Attends mandatory in-services

Demonstrates awareness of security, life safety, emergency

Preparedness and utility and equipment management policies and procedures

Helps maintain a safe and clean patient/work environment

Follows incident reporting procedures

Job Specific Requirements

Prepares tissue specimens to be reviewed by pathologist,

Embedding, sectioning and routine hematoxylin and eosin staining are performed according to policy and procedure manual,

- Able to perform immunohistochemical staining techniques,

- Understands the concept of quality control both for positive and negative staining,

- Able to manage the antibody inventory,

- Decalcification of all bone specimens, bone marrows and aspiration biopsies performed so that the specimen can be cut without difficulty to produce a slide adequate for patient diagnosis,

Uses special staining techniques when requested,

- Follows procedures as in procedure manuals,

- Quality of finished slides must be acceptable to the pathologist

- Judgement based on control slides when applicable,

- Maintains accuracy of patient identification

- Processes specimens so block and slide labels are correct,

- Files slides and blocks in correct order,

- Equipment is operated, maintained and repaired according to manufacturer's instructions and manual,

- Quality control charts documented daily,

Preventive maintenance is performed on schedule,

Demonstrates cooperation & flexibility on the job as evidenced by the following key performance indicators:

- Utilizes lulls (15 minutes or more between assignments) in the workload to assist other section/department staff in completing their assignments where feasible,

- Provides break and meal coverage, and adheres to prescribed times for break/mealtimes,

- Accepts and performs in a timely and correct manner other duties as assigned