Sr. Histotechnician, Full-Time Days

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Sr Histotechnician  reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

 The Sr Histotechnician serves as a resource expert in a designated section providing technical/administrative assistance with staff training, competency assessments, quality control and instrument review, inventory supply, and new technology development. This position is responsible for communication with pathologists, residents, and coordinators regarding specimen problems. The position is also required to participate in the laboratory occurrence management program.

Responsibilities:

• Performs technical procedures.
• Performs cassette-log reconciliation.
• Initiates appropriate programs on conventional and microwave tissue processors.
• Recognizes, resolves, and documents standard processor alarms.
• Embeds biopsy, routine surgical, and autopsy tissues per SOP.
• Recognizes adequacy of processing.
• Identifies and orients tissues correctly.
• Documents tracking and quality issues on embedding log.
• Performs and documents routine paraffin block reconciliation.
• Prioritizes blocks based on established guidelines.
• Operates microtome per SOP.
• Determines appropriate block orientation and alignment, knife angles, and settings to obtain representative sections.
• Recognizes acceptable vs. unacceptable sections.
• Evaluates instances in which specific tissue might require a deviation from standard procedures to insure diagnostic sections are produced.
• Documents blocks cut in laboratory information system.
• Operates automated instrumentation to stain and coverslip microscopic slides.
• Performs manual methods during instrument downtimes.
• Recognizes, resolves, and documents unacceptable staining and cover slipping results and/or instrument failure.
• Labels slides, collates with paperwork, and submits to appropriate pathologist or resident. Documents appropriate tracking information.
• Performs special staining techniques using automated instrumentation and manual methods.
• Identifies appropriate positive and negative controls.
• Evaluates stains microscopically for acceptable results.
• Identifies and corrects staining deficiencies.
• Documents stains and quality issues.
• Maintains specimen integrity and accurate legible specimen identification throughout all technical and clerical processes.
• Records all documentation consistently and legibly.
• Maintains manual and electronic records for easy retrieval of data as necessary.
• Investigates, escalates, and documents any discrepancies or unresolved issues appropriately.
• Prioritizes technical workload based on assignment or established priorities, responds effectively to changes in workflow adjusting work to incorporate STAT requests or fluctuations in work volume.
• Exercises independent judgment in the performance of technical responsibilities.
• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities within defined turn-around times.
• Maintains system integrity in a designated section: Monitors laboratory inventory to ensure supply levels are appropriate and adequate.
• Verifies reagents and supplies meet defined acceptability criteria upon receipt and prior to use.
• Takes action to ensure unacceptable items are removed from use.
• Performs inventory maintenance and supply ordering.
• Reviews instrument and equipment maintenance logs in a timely fashion and follows up as needed.
• Review and evaluates QC results and takes necessary corrective actions according to established protocol.
• Performs required Quality System responsibilities including initiating "Quality Investigation Reports".
• Performs technical review in a designated section.
• Develops and maintains a higher level of expertise.
• Reviews pending logs for completeness, correctness, and consistency.<