Histotechnologist

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For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job receives and accessions surgical, biopsy, and autopsy specimens for routine tissue processing and subsequent microscopic examination. Assists Pathologists, Pathologist Assistants and Residents in the gross dissection room. Routinely embeds tissues in paraffin, cuts/stains/labels slides. Develops new procedures and evaluates reagents and equipment, follows test plans, coordinates internal validations and teaches and advises staff in problem-solving situations. Provides on-going education to laboratory staff and audits operations for quality control and serves as a consultant tech and assists the supervisor as needed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Job Duties: Properly orient tissue in paraffin medium ensuring all surfaces such as epidermis, dermis, mucosal, lumen and inked margins, are embedded and sectioned on the same plane. Prepares tissues or slides for Special Procedures such as send outs, EM, IF, Cell Flow, Cytogenetic, including packaging arranging transportation, documentation and billing. Maintains an adequate cut supply of Positive (+) control slides and documents on Control Tissue QC log, the case number QC date. Assists in managing workload and productivity by adjusting schedule when necessary. Completes Pathologists, Supervisors and management teams requests within 24 hours, notifying them of any delay. Cleans and maintains reagents tissue processors, embedding center, microtomy equipment, H&E stainer, immunostainers in excellent condition, keeping all work areas clean and documenting QC as required. Accommodates special needs of the section organization by volunteering to do any work/task when needed technical or nontechnical areas due to inclement weather, electrical power outages, computer downtime or other critical times. Follows safety guidelines as outlined for Department/Institution and documents instances appropriately. Performs special procedures such as special stain, Immunoperoxidase, undecalcified bone processing, photography of gross specimens and high complexity testing such as Immunohistochemistry as well as quality control procedures. Other related duties as required.

Employer: Ochsner Clinic Foundation

Geographic area of employment: New Orleans, LA

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in histotechnology, biology, chemistry, physical science, medical technology, medical laboratory science or clinical laboratory science.

Other Requirements: Certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a histotechnician, histotechnologist, cytotechnologist, medical laboratory scientist, international medical laboratory scientist, international cytotechnologist, international histotechnician, or international histotechnologist. Louisiana license as a clinical laboratory scientist.

Applicants must reference REQ_00258164 and apply online at www.ochsner.org/careers

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Interpersonal skills to deal courteously and effectively with patients, physicians, nurses, and other personnel.
• Excellent judgmental skills in order to identify and solve problems, prioritize work, and handle difficult situations.
• Analytical skills to effectively perform calculations, operate computers, printers, and laboratory equipment, including microtomes, cryostats, automated slide strainers, and cover slippers.
• Ability to manage stress in order to maintain a professional atmosphere and provide quality, accurate results and service to clients.
• Strong abilities working independently.
• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of patient information. Must be proficient with Windows-style applications and keyboard.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.   (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain communicable diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

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Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

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Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.