Lab Assistant Per Diem - Histology

About the Role

This position is responsible for the receipt of biological specimens into the department, preparation of samples for analytical testing, and performing testing. The role reports to the department supervisor and works closely with lab technical personnel.

Responsibilities

• Exhibits excellence in customer service through appropriate attitude and interaction with all patients, visitors, and staff.
• Adheres to and supports team members in exhibiting TMCH values of integrity, community, compassion, and dedication.
• Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety and confidentiality policies and standards.
• Performs basic technical processes as assigned, based on specific department requirements.
• Performs testing under direct supervision in a timely manner according to established policies, meeting performance standards and knowledge level determined for that testing.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the computer systems used in the department and generates work lists as required.
• Performs a variety of routine laboratory processes and procedures according to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules.
• Uses appropriate safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of bio-hazardous, infectious, radioactive, and toxic substances.
• Participates in the Laboratory quality control, safety, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Demonstrates awareness of and complies with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements related to the area of responsibility.
• Performs basic maintenance checks on laboratory equipment.
• Coordinates and routes specimens to the proper area of the laboratory.
• Performs related duties as assigned, within established guidelines to meet expected turnaround times.

For Technical Areas (Core, Microbiology, Blood Bank)

• Logs specimens into laboratory and Laboratory Information System (LIS); receives or collects specimens and labels them appropriately.
• Stores specimens for future reference or discards them after testing.
• Coordinates and routes specimens to the proper area of the laboratory.
• Tracks and locates missing specimens.

Histology/Cytology

• Logs specimens into laboratory and Laboratory Information System (LIS); receives or collects specimens and labels them appropriately.
• Stores specimens for future reference or discards them after testing.
• Labels and distributes case slides to the pathologists per assigned schedules.
• Performs tracking functions using Ventana’s Vantage software.
• Processes requisitions for pathology and laboratory services.
• Stores and disposes of surgical and autopsy specimens.
• Photographs gross autopsy specimens.
• Cuts, stains, and processes specimens of human tissue for frozen sections.
• Maintains cryostat and staining setup for frozens and touch preps.
• Files slides and blocks as they are made available from multiple sources (daily cases, send-out returns, etc.).

Pathology Office

• Performs a variety of duties in Pathology, Cytology, Histology, and Autopsy records.
• Maintains phones and responds to requests for information.
• Manages morgue book daily, ensuring paperwork is complete and accurate for each decedent, resolving errors as needed.
• Follows up with family or authorized party to release decedents timely and completes release paperwork.
• Provides support and assists pathologists as requested.
• Manages face sheets for billing purposes, coordinates and completes outside consultant requests, pulling blocks and slides as needed for send-out or further pathologist review.
• Prepares various tumor board information each week and assists with legal preservation.
• Pulls samples to send out to other labs, records when samples are returned, enters or retrieves data from computer files, scans, and labels a variety of samples.

TMC Rincon

• In addition to the essential functions, Laboratory Assistants at TMC Rincon will be responsible for phlebotomy duties.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• One (1) month of related lab experience.

Skills

• Skill in maintaining, processing, and recording lab samples and specimens.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.