Complex Specimen Processor Jobs in San Jose, CA (NOW HIRING)

Under the general supervision of the Medical Directors, Site Manager and the Gross Room Supervisor / Morgue Supervisor depending on rotation, the incumbent receives, accessions, and prepares or "grosses in" specified surgical specimens which includes biopsies and larger specimens: examines the specimen grossly, weighs, measures, fixes, inks, cuts representative samples, cassettes and submits the specimens for histological processing, dictates clinical description for report transcription, contacts clinicians / surgeons regarding clinical information, and enters information into the Pathology computer system. Processes a wide variety of specimen types, primarily biopsies (HT I level), at the higher level (HT II), grosses in specified complex specimens, while functioning at a higher level of independence, and at the much higher level (HT III, HT Lead), performs independently in the absence of the Gross Room Supervisor, working closely with the attending pathologists regarding complex specimen handling. Picks up frozen section requests from surgeons in the operating room, performs frozen sectioning/staining for rapid diagnosis by the pathologist; assists with specimen photography; and other technical duties as needed. Must be able to work variable schedules and rotate at other sites as needed. Incumbent may also assist with autopsies and other Morgue duties, embed tissues and other duties in Histology or Electron Microscopy Laboratories. Other duties as assigned.

NOTE:  The classification of Histotechnologist 1 or Histotechnologist 2 will be determined based upon the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of a degree in a biological science including course-work in Anatomy or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience to include 2 years of coursework with a minimum of 60 semester hours of college courses, including 24 semester hours of relevant science courses (chemistry, biology, anatomy) plus experience as a surgical gross-room technician. 
• Excellent data entry, word processing, spelling, grammar, and editing skills. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required. 
• Knowledge of medical terminology. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities and perform well under pressure to meet deadlines. 

Technologist classification series: 

• Histotechnologist Lead: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 5 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections, with at least 4 years of that experience cutting in complex specimens. 
• Histotechnologist III: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 3 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections, with at least 1 year of that experience cutting in complex specimens.
• Histotechnologist II: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent including 2 years surgical pathology experience cutting in (grossing) biopsies, performing frozen sections and expected successful completion of department training program cutting in complex surgical specimens. 
• Histotechnologist I: Four year college degree in a biological science or equivalent combination education and experience in a hospital surgical pathology laboratory, including some demonstrated experience performing cryostat sectioning, staining or histology techniques.

NOTE:  The classification of Histotechnologist 1 or Histotechnologist 2 will be determined based upon the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biological science with experience in hospital gross room setting.

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Key Responsibilities

TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 (The time spent in each of the following functions is determined by the Supervisor, Gross Room Advisor, Administrative Director and/or Medical Director). 

GROSS SECTIONING: Performs gross sectioning of various types of biopsy specimens: weighs, measures, divides, cassettes and submits "Rush" specimens by cut-off time, dictates gross description of clinical data and specimen size, inks specimens as required for visualization or orientation, documents special instructions, enters Histology data in the computer system utilizing barcoding system, loads Histology tissue processors as needed. 

Standards: Maintains complete accuracy throughout. Submits clear, concise dictations. Works proactively with Histology lab staff to ensure optimal tissue fixation of specimens submitted by the Pathology Residents, advising Pathology Residents as needed. 

GROSS SECTIONING OF SPECIFIED LESS COMPLEX TO COMPLEX SPECIMENS (CATEGORIES DETERMINED BY HT I, II, III OR  LEAD POSITION). Upon completion of training regimens as determined by the Medical Director and Supervisor, and under the direct supervision of a pathologist, performs gross sectioning of specified less complex to complex surgical specimens as determined by the Medical Director. Applies sound judgment during dissection of these surgical specimens according to established guidelines. Obtains guidance from the attending Pathologist or Lead Pathologists' Assistant, who supervises distribution and grossing of all big/complex cases received. Prepares documentation explaining dissection and tissue selection methodology as needed for the subsequent light microscopic examination by the staff pathologist. 

Standards: Performs sectioning according to methodologies outlined in the on-line dissection guide. Maintains complete accuracy throughout. Submits clear, concise dictations. Maintains high-level communications with residents assigned to the case. 

FROZEN SECTION DIAGNOSIS: Independently obtains and communicates with clinicians/surgeons about intraoperative specimens, performs rapid preparation of H&E-stained frozen section slides for rapid diagnosis by the Pathologist. Determines the need to obtain guidance from the attending pathologist regarding orientation, orients and samples the specimen, records sampling methodology, mounts, freezes and sections the specimen using a cryostat. Labels and delivers the slides to the Pathologist for rapid diagnosis. As directed, places residual tissue in the appropriate fixative for subsequent processing and communicates specimen handling when handed off. Standards: Applies utmost care handling and conserving small tissue specimens. Produces cryostat sections with minimal sectioning/staining artifact, and prepares slides demonstrating tissue areas, which are representative of the specimen. Utilizes whole slide imaging system when necessary. 

MORGUE TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

 PERFORMS AUTOPSY PROCEDURES: 

Reconciles autopsy permit information with the decedents to be autopsied. 

Informs residents about the legal aspects of autopsies and permit requirements associated with the autopsy. Coordinates procedure with residents, attendings, clinicians and other hospital personnel. 

Prepares tables and instruments for autopsy. Checks body identification to insure proper decedent is being autopsied. Transfers the body from the morgue refrigerator and places the body on the table. 

Performs specialized autopsy procedures, such as organ evisceration, brain and spinal cord removal, organ dissection, and suturing following established protocols and infection control procedures. 

Decontaminates tables, instruments, and equipment following autopsies and conferences. 

Notifies Patient Relations or ED Registration when autopsy is completed. 

Accessions autopsy data in CoPath accurately. 

Prepares fixatives and other laboratory reagents. 

MORGUE OPERATIONS: 

Responsible for maintaining protocol in the receipt and release of bodies from the morgue, including reviewing release documents for completeness and validity. 

As required, harvests tissue for research projects following protocols as directed. 

Prepares tissue and organs for conferences--sets up instruments, including dissecting microscope. 

Maintains pathology specimen filing system: Rinses and bags tissue for disposal under direction of Medical Director. Labels organs saved at autopsy. Retains and disposes of specimens in the Morgue storage room following Dept./Medical Center requirements. 

Prepares bodies for viewing by family members as arranged by Patient Relations or Nursing Services. 

Assists with radiography and photography of specimens, including special diagnostic procedures, and managing digital gross photography archive system. 

Maintains departmental log books. 

HISTOLOGY LAB TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

ROUTINE HISTOLOGY: 

Provides direction to staff regarding daily workflow. Demonstrates expert technical skill embedding, sectioning, routine and special staining at the expert level, following all technical standards. Completes workload within time deadlines. Meets highest levels of productivity and quality. 

SECTIONING: 

Performs or directs other staff in preparation of the most difficult specimens presenting sectioning problems. Difficult types of specimens may include anything from insufficiently processed specimens to nearly invisible biopsy specimens. Routinely sections specimens following the most difficult sectioning specifications regarding thickness, orientation, serial sectioning, sectioning for PCR and in situ work-up. Maintains the highest level of productivity (20-25 blocks/hour) while preparing superior quality slides. 

CONTROL SPECIMENS: 

Oversight of inventory of control blocks used for special stains. Anticipates needs and requests control specimens from the Pathologists as needed. 

OTHER TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Proactively troubleshoots and resolves technical problems, communicating with Supervisor regarding resolution. In addition to operations oversight of staining and processing areas, manages specific assignments within the lab, e.g. department files, coordination of lab in-services, performance improvement projects, etc. 

LABORATORY OPERATION: 

Maintains QC documentation files. Assists Lab Manager as designated in completion of annual safety requirements, which may include annual safety training schedule, air monitoring, respirator testing. Assists in assuring compliance with technical and general policies and procedures. Determines need, advises lab manager and oversee repair of equipment for the area of responsibility. Provides general oversight of the physical facilities and environment regarding cleanliness, safety and need for repairs, including  

CYTOLOGY LAB TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

ROUTINE CYTOLOGY: 

Provides technical support to the cytology laboratory by forwarding specimens to the cytology laboratory. Technical functions encompass specimen preparation using a wide variety of technical procedures. Preparatory techniques require a high level of accuracy, independent judgment and the ability to produce high volumes of specimens. 

TECHNICAL: Receives a wide variety of fresh and fixed specimens for cytopreparation. Preparation protocols include direct smears for fixation and air-drying, centrifugation, cytocentrifugation, and T2 ThinPrep processing. Prepared slides are stained using specific programs, coverslipped, labeled, and triaged for evaluation by faculty and staff. Gynecological material is accessioned, bar-coded and prepared on a multiload T3 processor. Slides are stained and loaded into an Imager for pre-evaluation. Prepares urinary sample as requested for ImmunoCyt fluorescent testing. Prepares and documents research cases as requested. Prepares samples for cell blocks, special stains, and flow cytometry. 

MAINTENANCE: Provides basic maintenance and troubleshooting for automation in the lab, including the automatic stainer, coverslipper, ThinPrep pr...