*****Evenings and Weekends. Hours Vary.*****
Purpose of Job
Receive, prepare and process pathology specimens, following approved standards, policies and procedures.
Scope: To conduct business with all patients, staff members, and anyone seeking to do business with Kaiser Permanente, in a friendly, courteous, and helpful manner, according to the Kaiser Customer Service Standards. Enter orders into the LIS, procure, process and prepare pathology specimens to include special stains and immunohistochemical stains; investigate and respond to test inquiry, write and revise department procedures, maintain all standards of accreditation, Environmental Health and Safety, adequate inventory, ability to trouble-shooting instrumentation and reagent problems and other duties as assigned.
This position consistently supports compliance and the Principles of Responsibility (Kaiser Permanente's Code of Conduct) by maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of information, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, and adhering to the applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, accreditation and licenser requirements (if applicable), and Kaiser Permanente's policies and procedures. In addition, Regional leaders are accountable for communication, implementation, enforcement, monitoring and oversight of compliance policies and practices in their departments.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Performs technical services and operations for the preparation of surgical pathology specimens which includes specimen entry ensuring accurate identification of these specimens. Performs all related pre-analytic functions, specimen handling protocols and documentation of all related tasks.
2. Performs dissection and gross dictation of surgical pathology specimens under the direct supervision of the Pathologist which will include appropriate dictations and diagrams relating to the specimens. Numbering tissue cassettes appropriately and loading the tissue processor with said specimens. Maintain tissue inventories and discard residual tissue specimens at appropriate intervals and maintain up-to-date inventories and records relating to tissues. Sequester tissue samples flagged for specimen retention. Maintain surgical pathology gross dissection manual with input from the Anatomic Pathology Manager and Pathologists to update as necessary.
3. Performs technical services and operations for the proper analytical processing and testing of surgical pathology specimens including dehydrating, clearing and impregnating tissues using a tissue processor. Embedding with proper orientation processed tissues in molten paraffin. Ensuring correct and proper microtomy of paraffin-embedded tissues utilizing proper microtomy and floatation batch techniques and protocols established by the service resulting in proper mounting of paraffin sections on glass slides. Utilizes both manual and automated routine staining schedules established by the service resulting in a quality Hematoxylin & Eosin stained tissue slide. Utilizes both manual and automated cover-slipping protocols. Ensures that all stained slides are distributed to pathologists in an efficient and timely manner.
4. Performs ancillary analytical testing to include histochemical and immunohistochemical staining.
5. Troubleshoots assays and all related instrumentation. Maintains and revises as needed all related technical policies and procedures including instrument/equipment maintenance by maintaining equipment quality control and preventive maintenance.
6. Performs all related quality control and assurance as directed by the Quality Assurance Manager. This includes all post-analytical tasks as required.
7. Performs material management functions including equipment justification/selection, inventory/supply coordination. Orders and maintains adequate and appropriate/cost-effective supplies and reagents for the service. Assists the Anatomic Pathology Manager, Business Manager, and/or Chief Financial Officer in the reconciliation and audit of invoices/bills as needed.
8. Assists the Anatomic Pathology Manager in cost analysis, operating and staffing budgets.
9. Assists the Anatomic Pathology Manager in workload analysis reports to include daily workload demand and recording of various related technical activities.
10. Maintains service filing systems to include specimen, paraffin-blocked tissue(s), prepared slides, service records, and all related documents as established by the service.
11. Enters and retrieves data using computer applications.
12. Enforces proper chemical and biological hygiene practices and contributes to the Safety Committee's effort to provide a safe and compliant working environment
13. Performs chemical hazardous waste disposal according to current Kaiser Permanente operating policies and procedures in line with regulatory guidelines.
14. Interfaces with other supervisory and management staff to promote quality customer service for all aspects of laboratory testing and specimen collection activities, including problem resolution and continuous improvement in client/patient satisfaction.
15. Assists in duties as deemed necessary by the Anatomic Pathology Manager, Medical Director, and/or Laboratory Director.
Experience
Minimum Qualifications
. Five years to ten years of experience in a full surgical support (Inpatient or Outpatient) histology laboratory required.
. Gross dissection and dictation experience preferred.
Education and Training:
. Associate's Degree or equivalent required.
. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
Minimum Requirement - License, Certification and/or Designation:
. HT (ASCP or equivalent) with at least 10 years histology experience or .HTL (ASCP or equivalent) with at least 5 years histology experience required.