Histotech

Supports the diagnostic evaluation of tissue by histological procedures. Performs histological duties within the guidelines established by histology and Moh’s laboratory (clinic or stand-alone laboratory).

Responsibilities

Mohs Lab Duties

• Performs a variety of specialized histopathological procedures.
• High Complexity Testing:
  • Specimen Collection/Triage:
    • Receive surgical laboratory samples from patient(s) for testing.
    • Verify correct specimen orientation for mapping.
    • Verify patient map information: Name, accession number, stage, tumor location and diagnosis.
  • Specimen preparation:
    • Maintain accurate specimen identification / orientation.
    • Divide specimen into sections for processing as noted on map.
    • Apply color coded ink to specimen as designated on map for margin orientation.
    • Perform relax cuts and scores to tissue specimen(s) as needed.
    • Place specimen on embedding slide(s) for processing (verify accession # / piece / stage).
• NON High Complexity Testing:
  • Embedding:
    • Orient specimen correctly on a glass slide using the "reverse slide mount method" for embedding (routinely epidermis to the left).
    • Freeze specimen to glass slide, ensuring that the epidermis / base of specimen are properly placed to ensure a complete representative section.
    • Once frozen, invert specimen onto prepared object holder disc.
  • Microtomy (Cutting):
    • Operate a microtome within cryostat with correct settings, alignments and knife angles to insure optimum cutting / sectioning of specimen.
    • Verify block orientation for proper facing of specimen.
    • Adequately trim specimen(s) block to correct level of completeness to provide a true first margin of the specimen (trimming excessively may generate false positive).
    • Ability to determine and produce acceptable quality representative specimen sections.
    • Accurately places a series of sections on a microscopic slide (labeled with accession # /piece / stage).
    • Correctly labels and stores cut specimen blocks within the cryostat chamber to ensure accurate tissue identification.
  • Routine Staining Procedures:
    • Selects appropriate stains and chemicals to perform H&E or TBlue staining procedures.
    • Prepares and maintains stains and other solutions required in staining.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine acceptable and unacceptable staining.
    • Identifies and correct problem areas that result in inadequate staining.
  • Mounting Procedure:
    • Slides are hand cover slipped using a xylene compatible mounting medium.
  • Specimens to be submitted for Permanent Paraffin processing:
    • Prepare routine excisions to be processed as a "Slow Mohs" - non frozen tissue.
    • Thaw and submit previously frozen section (excision and biopsy) tissue for permanent paraffin processing.
    • Prepare DAF (previously frozen) specimens to be sent for permanent paraffin processing.
  • Immunohistochemistry staining (in facilities that offer this service).
• Instrumentation:
  • Maintains/services instruments according to established protocols.
  • Demonstrate the ability to operate or use instruments for intended purpose.
  • Monitors and documents instrument performance and checks/recognizes malfunctions and identifies the need of repair.
• Reagent Preparation:
  • Prepares reagents according to established procedures.
  • Records quality control data for each reagent.
  • Select proper storage and preservation for all reagents.
  • Recognizes reagent malfunction and need to replace reagent.
• General Safety:
  • Demonstrates correct safety practices as defined in established protocol.
  • Recognizes and corrects dangerous situations related to job safety.
  • Investigates and resolves complaints, or refers unusual problems to superior.
  • Adhere to all OSHA regulations and universal precautions.
• Chemical Hygiene/Biohazard Procedures:
  • Demonstrate proper handling of chemicals and biohazard materials.
  • Adheres to all OSHA regulations and universal precautions, including waste and sharps disposal.
  • Maintains knowledge of OSHA regulations and use of universal precautions as appropriate.
• General:
  • Participate in department or unit Quality Improvement activities.
  • Assist in general housekeeping duties for Mohs Laboratory, including weekly "scrub down".
  • Maintain Mohs & DAF laboratory log books (accession / date / patient / tumor location).
  • Assists in the evaluation of new procedures and equipment for possible adoption by the laboratory environment.
  • Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagent, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
  • Prepares slides with permanent labels and files appropriately.
  • Maintains Mohs/Excision logbooks.
  • Adheres to all safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities while supporting a culture of high quality and great customer service.
  • Performs other duties that may be necessary or in the best interest of the organization.

Pathology Lab Duties

• Performs a variety of specialized, difficult, delicate and complex chemical, histopathological or immunologic procedures in identifying specific components.
• High Complexity Testing:
  • Grossing:
    • This would consist of specimens received in the lab that are fixed in 10% formalin, and specimens submitted in Michel’s Fixative for Immunofluorescence processing.
    • Maintains accurate specimen identification.
    • Measures specimens.
    • Select the right tissue cassettes for processing and store residual tissues.
    • Records information to be used during embedding and cutting.
  • Nail Processing and Decalcification:
    • Select appropriate specimens for decal procedure.
    • Use of Sodium Hydroxide for nail specimen.
    • Determine appropriate degree of decalcification.
• NON-HIGH COMPLEXITY TESTING:
  • Specimen Collection/Triage:
    • Receives, accepts and recognizes specimens that arrive in the laboratory.
    • Check for proper identification and fixative.
    • Accession specimen with proper patient information.
  • Tissue Processing:
    • Implement appropriate procedure during processing.
    • Prepares and maintains tissue processor.
  • Tissue Embedding:
    • Recognizes adequacy of processing.
    • Determines correct mold size for the specimen.
    • Maintains accurate identification of the specimen.
    • Identifies and orients specimen correctly.
  • Microtomy (Cutting):
    • Operates a microtome with correct settings, alignments and knife angles to insure optimum sectioning.
    • Determine block orientation and facing in order to obtain a full representative section.
    • Ability to determine acceptable sections.
    • Selects correct procedure regarding section thickness.
    • Select appropriate slides for specific stain.
    • Maintains accurate tissue identification.
  • Routine Staining Procedures:
    • Selects appropriate stains and chemicals to perform H & E staining procedures.
    • Prepares and maintains stains and other solutions required in staining.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine acceptable and unacceptable staining.
    • Identifies and correct problem areas that result in inadequate staining.
  • Mounting Procedure:
    • Select correct mounting medium for each type stain.
  • Special Stain Techniques:
    • Identifies proper control and stains to be used for demonstrating specific tissue constituents and pathogens.
    • Demonstrate the ability to determine acceptable vs. unacceptable staining.
    • Identifies and corrects problems that result in inadequate or improperly stained tissue.
  • Immunohistochemical Techniques:
    • Identifies the proper control for Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence to be used for specific antibodies.
    • Determines appropriate antigen retrieval procedure for each antibody.
  • Instrumentation:
    • Maintains/services instruments according to established protocols.
    • Demonstrate the ability to operate or use instruments for intended purpose.
    • Monitors and documents instrument performance and checks/recognizes malfunctions and identifies the need of repair.
  • Reagent Preparation:
    • Prepares reagents according to established procedures.
    • Records quality control data for each reagent.
    • Select proper storage and preservation for all reagents.
    • Recognizes reagent malfunction and need to replace reagent.
  • General Safety:
    • Demonstrates correct safety practices as defined