Pathology Lab Assistant II - Schedule: 40 hours, Mon - Fri, 3pm to 11:30 pm

About the role

The Lab Assistant II is responsible for accessioning specimens, preparing slide trays, filing of blocks and slides, and assisting with all aspects of lab organization and maintenance. Lab Assistant II employees have the educational requirements to pursue the Histotech HT/L certification program. This position offers potential for immediate and longer term career ladder opportunities supported by on-the-job training with corresponding increases in compensation.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account with $500 matching contribution
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (full-time only)
• Voluntary short-term disability insurance (full-time only)
• Additional life insurance options
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, and Cancer Guardian
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Profit sharing
• Employee discounts

Responsibilities

On-the-job training will be provided for the following duties:

Lab Order and Materials Management

• Receive specimens and release orders using the lab information system (LIS)
• Track orders on worklists and retrieve specimen materials for technicians
• File slides and tissue blocks

Solution & Reagent Handling

• Prepare alcohol solutions for tissue processing
• Change instrument staining solutions per schedule
• Recycle, neutralize, and dispose of chemicals and solutions safely

Specimen Preparation & Slide Production

• Prepare specimens and materials for tissue grossing
• Embed tissue samples (once trained)
• Clean, organize, and prepare paraffin blocks for microtome cutting
• Assist with slide preparation, including loading/unloading staining and cover-slipping equipment
• Assemble slide trays for delivery to pathologists

Lab Maintenance & Quality Control

• Clean equipment and tools according to schedule
• Record daily temperatures of lab and equipment
• Receive, stock, and inventory lab supplies

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete required compliance training and follow all procedures
• Perform other related tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field required
• Previous experience in a lab environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Flexibility with hours to meet workflow demands
• Knowledge of general medical terminology preferred
• Ability to type a minimum of 45 wpm with minimal errors preferred
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent customer service, communication, and organizational skills
• Friendly, cheerful, tactful, and polite demeanor; compassionate and caring in interactions
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize appropriately, and work well independently and as part of a team
• Ability to use time productively and contribute to high operational efficiency
• Ability to understand physician’s instructions/handwriting and know when to seek clarification
• Positive response to constructive criticism and direction from supervisors
• Professional appearance and manner at all times
• Compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and CLIA requirements
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate in an active multi-office environment
• Ability to efficiently operate job-related office equipment (telephone, computer, calculator, fax, copier)
• Ability to communicate via telephone
• Ability to sit for large portions of the workday

Career Advancement

• Potential to become a Lab Technician with on-the-job training in grossing of tissue specimens
• Potential to become a Lab Technician with on-the-job training in cutting/microtomy for slide preparation
• Potential to become a Histotechnician in approximately one year with on-the-job training coupled with completing a NAACLS-certified Histology program and ASCP certification exam