Histotechnologist

Primary Location:

JHHS - Jewish Hospital

Address:

200 Abraham Flexner Way
Louisville, KY 40202


Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Job Description Summary:

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with eight hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.
With more than 13,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

Job Description:

The Histotechnologist shall have extensive knowledge in processing, mounting, cutting and staining of tissue sections.  The ability to organize work so that procedures are completed within established turn-around times is essential.  They shall assist the Pathology Manager in maintaining laboratory standards in accordance with accrediting bodies. The employee must show good judgment with attention to details as well as respect for patient confidentiality.  The employee may assist in the training of other histotechnologists, laboratory assistants, residents, and others.  The Histotechnologist must work professionally and courteously with physicians, patients, guests, and other employees.  The employee shall actively support the policies of the laboratory and hospital.
Essential Functions:
•    Maintains readiness of frozen section, grossing space, and autopsy rooms
•    Monitors frozen section quality and turnaround time.
•    Maintains adequate supply levels for department. 
•    May have technical oversight of lab assistants in ULH pathology department and assists with their training and competency.
•    Ensures specimens are properly labeled and checked for completeness prior to transport.
•    Works with OR and other departments submitting specimens to make sure submission requirements are met and maintained.
•    Completes all education and licensure requirements in advance of the due date.
•    Ensures that all laboratory functions are consistent with Hospital Compliance guidelines.
•    Ensures that all questionable specimen orders are resolved prior to transport.
•    Recommends and implements improvements necessary to achieve operational goals and to improve patient outcomes.
•    May provides technical direction, training, and education to lab assistants, students, residents, fellows and other employees.
•    Performs kidney biopsy adequacy, frozen sections, and can assist with autopsies if needed.
•    Demonstrates comprehension of all procedures within the department as defined in the Procedure Manuals. 
•    Assures appropriate procedures are followed in specimen processing, tissue quality and staining. Troubleshoots as necessary. 

Shift Requirements: 
Shift Length (in hours):    
# Shifts/Week:    
Overtime Required:    ☐ Infrequently     ☐ Sometimes    ☐ Often     ☐ n/a (exempt position)

Other Functions:
•    Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct 
•    Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
•    Performs other duties as assigned
 

Additional Job Description:

Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (example, laboratory sciences such as histology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, hematology, clinical microscopy, cytogenetics, blood bank, molecular biology, cytotechnology, or immunology. (required)
Experience: 
•    Minimum one (1) year of lab experience as a Histotechnologist (preferred), Medical Technologist or Medical Laboratory Scientist
Certification:
•     Certification as a Histotechnologist, Medical Technologist, or Medical Laboratory Scientist by one of the following accrediting agencies is required.
o    Medical Technologist (MT) certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
o    Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
o    Medical Technologist (MT) certified by the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
o    Medical Laboratory Scientist certified by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) 
o    Medical Technologist (MT) certified by the Department of Health, Education & Welfare/US Department of Health & Human Services (HEW/HHS)
o    Technologist certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in one of the following areas: Histotechnology,
Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Cytogenetics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Cytology
o    Technologist certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) in one of the following areas:
Medical Technologist, Andrology Laboratory Scientist, Embryology Laboratory Scientist, or Molecular Diagnostics Technologist

•    Beginning in January 2004, newly certified individuals must participate in The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Board of Registry (BOR) Certification Maintenance Program (required)

Job Competency:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities critical to this role: 
•    Strong customer service skills- able to demonstrate patience and understanding, ensure customer satisfaction, and resolve customer complaints.
•    Superior organization skills- manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized, able to pay extreme attention to detail for long periods of time.
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills- responsive, informs constituents of process, pleasant to work with, educates and provides timely, accurate information; can build effective, strong working relationships others through trust, communication, and credibility.
•    Skilled at remaining calm during periods of stress
•    Knowledge of College of American Pathology (CAP)

Language Ability: 
•    Must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats.

Reasoning Ability:  
•    Able to critically think through complex patient situations, process improvements, evidence-based practice. 
•    Able to assist others in developing clinical reasoning skills.
Computer Skills: 
•    Basic computer skills
•    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Cerner HER.

Additional Responsibilities:
•    Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor always.
•    Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times.
•    Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines
•    Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members
•    Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff, and the broader health care community.

UofL Health Core Expectation:
At UofL Health, we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty, integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
•    Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind, body, and spirit
•    Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
•    Working together as a team to achieve our goals
•    Improving continuously by listening, and asking for and responding to feedback
•    Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve 
•    Using our resources wisely
•    Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health