Job Description

Nemours is seeking a Histotechnologist (Full -Time), to join our Nemours Children's Health team in Orlando, Florida.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with rotating on-call weekends and holidays.

This position is responsible for performing Histology procedures, such as microtomy, embedding, frozen sections and staining of surgical tissues.

Performs technical procedures in Histology, under the direction of the Anatomic Pathology Supervisor and Pathologists, with frequent interactions to discuss specimens and testing. Picks up and delivers specimens as required or assigned. Performs gross examination of biopsies and surgical tissues. Routinely assists pathologists in preparing tissue specimens for microscopic evaluation. Prepares stained and unstained slides from fixed and unfixed tissue. Participates in on-call program as assigned to provide coverage, including during "off-hours" as necessary for patient care. Must be able to respond rapidly to urgent request, such as preparation of frozen sections for patients under sedation, including on-call hours. Preforms staining techniques as assigned. Prepares tissues for histochemical evaluation. Trains others in duties as assigned (e.g., students, residents, etc.). May assist with autopsies off-site as needed. Photographs specimens as instructed.
Receives and logs patient specimens, following laboratory policies. Must be able to read and understand a variety of written material such as tissue request forms and specimen requirement procedures. Must be able to check reagent lots and other identification numbers and evaluate accuracy and completeness. Must identify errors in such identification numbers and written information and respond accordingly, initiating corrective action which may include notification of pathologist, nursing, physicians, lab administrator or others. Enters charges for tests performed as assigned, whether through a computer or manually.
Uses laboratory equipment following established procedures. Such equipment may include microscopes, centrifuges, stainers, embedding centers, tissues processors, microtomes, weighing devices and a variety of photographic and temperature-controlled equipment. Must follow maintenance and safety procedures for all equipment. Must record information as assigned, such as temperature, humidity, etc. Must report any problems in a timely fashion. Maintains laboratory records, blocks, slides, photographs, etc. in an organized manner to allow for rapid retrieval and safe storage for long periods of time. Performs cleaning and disinfecting (e.g., lab, storage areas, etc.). Maintains a neat work area and performs other tasks related to routine lab functions.
Follow all lab and hospital safety procedures including all infection control, OSHA and JCAHO safety policies. Must be able to perform functions using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves, lab coats, face shields, goggles, bench top shields, etc. Will frequently handle many chemicals in various forms; must be able to follow appropriate handling recommendations for these substances. Follow procedures for monitoring hazardous chemical exposure levels. Disposal of biohazard waste, such as formalin, xylene, specimens as assigned.
Reviews inventory of lab supplies; orders supplies as appropriate considering cost efficiency, test volume and work requirements. Checks expiration dates and informs appropriate supervisor when problems develop that require intervention. Follows lab section inventory procedures (e.g., recording date received, conditions when received, checking order forms, invoices, etc.). Retrieves supplies and equipment from storage areas required for daily tasks.
Tabulate workload statistics regularly (e.g., monthly) and submits these to laboratory administration, department supervisor, pathologist, or others as assigned. Reviews technical and administrative procedures and stays informed about section changes, procedure changes, etc. Reviews questions about procedures with Histology supervisor as needed.
Answers telephone, records accurate messages, and conveys them in a timely fashion. Greets patients, parents, vendor representatives, guests, and other visitors courteously and professionally. Follows organizational customer service guidelines.
Prepares materials for physicians to collect specimens in a variety of circumstances, including patients undergoing imaging studies during biopsy procedures. May assist pathologist in obtaining material from patients, as in assistance with biopsy collection, or in obtaining tissue from deceased patients.
Responsible for participation in departmental and hospital programs for Quality Assessment and Improvement, identifying opportunities to improve services, making recommendations, and implementing actions as appropriate and consistent with the goals of the Nemours Foundation.

Job Requirements

Associate's Degree required.
Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years experience required.
State of Florida Histology Technologist License required.
National Certification as a Histotechnician/Histotechnologist required.
Preferred experience with Immunohistochemistry (IHC), grossing specimens and frozen sections including muscle.

This job was posted on Fri Jan 19 2024 and expired on Mon Jan 29 2024.

Minimum $53K /yr

$59K /yr Average

Maximum $65K /yr

Tasks

Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.

Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.

Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.

Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.

Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.

Freeze tissue specimens.

Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.

Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.

Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.

Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.

Supervise histology laboratory activities.

Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes.

Teach students or other staff.

Perform electron microscopy or mass spectrometry to analyze specimens.

Skills

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Knowledge

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.