Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Histology & Bone Marrow

Job Family:

Medical Technologist (Digital)

Travel Required:

None

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

We are currently searching for a certified Clinical Laboratory Scientist to support the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Laboratory Medicine (DLM). This is a full-time, on-site opportunity based in Bethesda, MD.

• Serve as a technical resource in the area of histopathology.
• Develop and validate new staining procedures.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Perform inventory management and procurement.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements (CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission).
• Provide histological preparations required for pathologists to discern the nature and extent of disease in bone marrow specimens that are from within NIH or those submitted from other hospitals for consultation in establishing or confirming a diagnosis.
• Perform microtomy, cutting tissue sections in a range of 3 to 25 microns from paraffin blocks; preserve the high quality of the tissue section.  
• Use the different types of microtomes and troubleshooting techniques to avoid technical artifacts while cutting paraffin blocks and drying paraffin sections.
• Master minor microtome repairs and maintain all instrument documentation, such as maintenance, temperature and changing reagents and solutions.
• Perform specimen processing and test performance of moderate to high complex tests.
• Maintain records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens; adhere to laboratory’s quality control policies; document all quality control activities; perform instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance.
• Accession tissue samples and review bone marrow specimens received via the Soft Path computer system in the department; review associated documentation and computer orders before accessioning to make sure those necessary elements are present for the acceptance of the specimen.
• Label forms and specimen containers with the assigned Soft Path number; select the correct processing protocol for each case; prepare the necessary number of cassettes with the patient identification number to assist the pathologist with grossing and processing of tissue specimens.
• Process all specimens while controlling physical conditions and responding to time factors to verify that the physiological state of the specimens is maintained to ensure high quality microscopic examination.
• Communicate and consult with pertinent medical personnel regarding collection procedures.
• Register the specimen in the accessioning log book and interact with the Resident or Pathologists in the handling of the specimen.
• Interact with residents in training on a constant basis to let them know about problems or handling of specimens based on their professional judgment (e.g., if specimens arrive without fixative); advise residents and pathologists on technical decisions such as proper fixative to use or when specimens need decalcification.
• Use tissue embedding centers to embed human tissue sections according to the established procedure which require experience with the embedding center components, proper type of paraffin for processing and embedding and the ability to troubleshoot problems.
• Conduct daily changing and maintenance of staining solutions and running appropriate controls.
• Perform or direct special stain techniques on tissue and cytological material utilizing proper control tissues and stains for demonstrating specific tissue/cellular constituents or pathogens.
• Identify cellular and non-cellular constituents of histological specimens and recognize cellular morphology as a result of procurement and preparation techniques (e.g., poor fixation, over staining, grossing errors, floaters).
• Operate, program and troubleshoot automatic strainers; perform coverslipping.
• Play a critical role in performing and adhering to Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Quality Improvement (QC/QA/QI) policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations and guidelines, as well as State and agency requirements.
• Teach histopathology theory, cellular morphology and specimen preparation to peers, new employee residents in the form of one-on-one microscopic sessions and demonstrations.

What You Will Need:

• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or similar organization.
• Minimum of three (3) years of related experience required.