Pathology Technician - Lab-Histology

Overview

Sign-On/Retention incentives: up to $2500*

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics is home to the largest laboratory in NH, providing Pathology and Clinical Laboratory services to DHMC and Clinics physician practices, Dartmouth Health system member hospitals, and independent practices and hospitals throughout NH and VT.  The department leads in process improvement (LEAN/Six Sigma), which led to a renovated space designed for workflow efficiency.  With a slogan of ‘Investigate, innovate and validate,’ our lab is:

• A high-volume lab with cutting-edge technology and automation
• A culture that encourages collaboration and teamwork for future innovation.
• A place to learn and grow

Pathology Technicians work collaboratively with Pathology Residents, Pathologists' Assistants, Histotechnicians, and Pathologists. The Histology laboratory is a fast-paced area that creates microscopic slides for diagnosis from surgical and autopsy tissue samples. We are looking for enthusiastic team members with an interest or background in anatomy and biology.

The Pathology Technician provides technical support for Surgical Pathology, Histology, Autopsy, and Hazardous Materials Management. 

Candidates for this position must have a HS Diploma or GED and some laboratory experience.  An Associate's degree in science or a licensed school of mortuary is preferred.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week day shift position working Monday-Friday 2pm-10:30pm, no on-call, and no holidays. 

DHMC and Clinics is offering a $2500 sign-on/retention bonus for this position.  *External applicants only, and certain conditions apply.

Responsibilities

Correctly identifies specimens and labels processing materials.

Provides the gross bench with materials and supplies required for specimen preparation.

Assists with frozen section preparation as requested by bench personnel.

Disposes of surgical specimens per established departmental policy.

Prepares and autoclaves instruments and materials needed for specimen processing activities in both Surgical Pathology and Microbiology.

Correctly identifies specimens and maintains identification throughout processing.

Prepares specimens for microscopic evaluation per established protocols.

Follows up on abnormal cytology results per established protocol.

Maintains tissue processors, stainers, and coverslippers. Prepares stock solutions and Vitek sterile saline.

Assists Microbiology Staff Technologists in management of incoming media.

Ensures the proper identification of autopsy subject and that all necessary paperwork is completed before the postmortem examination is performed. Prepares patients for prosection.

Performs gross dissections (ex., bowel, brain) with little supervision.

Apportions tissue specimens to medical investigators as requested for diagnostic and teaching purposes, ensuring that all specimens are accurately and appropriately labeled.

Properly closes patients and prepares them for discharge. Ensures expedient processing of patients.

Cleans/sterilizes instruments and cleans the autopsy suite after each use.

Leaves area prepared for next case. Sets up instrument trays.

Organizes and prepares organs for gross conference. Cleans autopsy suite after conference. Disposes of autopsy specimens following established departmental policy.

Removes hazardous bulk waste materials from laboratory each working day. Pours into appropriate bulk drums in hazardous waste shed following established departmental policies. Ensures all material is properly labeled and in appropriate containers before removal to the storage shed.

Maintains inventory of flammable materials and formalin. Distributes materials to areas within Anatomic Pathology upon request.

Maintains recycling activities for solvents. Ensures that all material is properly labeled and stored. Maintains appropriate logs and recycling equipment. Reports all problems to the Senior Pathology Technician immediately.

Assists with the collection and storage of hazardous waste from the Clinical Laboratory. Works closely with Facilities Management and the Assistant Supervisor to ensure the requirements for various regulatory agencies are met. Inspects the waste storage shed each workday according to the checklist located in the shed. Checks off all required items and initials as indicated. Ensures that drums are grounded.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• High school graduate with 2 years of applicable laboratory experience required.
• Associate’s degree in science or licensed school of mortuary science preferred.

Required Licensure/Certifications

• None