Located in Templeton amongst the oak trees, Adventist Health Twin Cities has been serving northern San Luis Obispo County since 1977. Comprised of a 122-bed acute care facility, our team provides exceptional care in emergency medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics, digestive disorders, wound care, and various medical, surgical and outpatient services. Locals enjoy weekly farmers markets in downtown Templeton, farm-to-fork dining, beautiful landscapes for hiking and biking, and beach days just fifteen minutes away at Cambria and Morro Bay.
Job Summary:
Supervises the Pathology team in performing and assigning tasks and responsibilities to produce cytology and histology preparations for microscopic exams. Updates department Procedure Manual and Quality Control sheets. Directs and controls the day-to-day Histology department operations including all personnel activities, technical oversight, and workflow which can include proficiency testing, quality control, and quality assurance. Prepares tissue specimens for microscopic examination by the pathologist in order to assist the pathologist in providing appropriate quality patient care in the diagnosis of disease.
Job Requirements:
Education and Work Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in histology or equivalent (some certifications will require Bachelor's): Preferred
- Master''s Degree: Preferred
- Five years'' technical experience: Preferred
- Two years'' leadership experience: Preferred
Licenses/Certifications:
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histology Technician certification: Required
- Histotechnician (HT) or International Histotechnician (IHT): Required
Essential Functions:
- Prepares tissue sections for microscopic examination using a variety of techniques including embedding, cutting, staining tissue slides for good diagnostic quality. Identifies tissue structure and cell components, relates the test results to physiological functions, and implements new testing techniques and procedures. Maintains a working knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures. Maintains knowledge which includes the use of specialized instrumentation, Quality Control requirements, and preventative maintenance.
- Conducts quality control procedures on tests, equipment, reagents and products and implements corrective action if needed. Maintains accurate quality control records of all procedures. Organizes and collates department quality control and maintenance records. Keeps accurate records of the number and types of specimens in the department for testing. Assists with the accurate distribution of reports to medical records and the ordering providers. Catalogs slides, preserves specimens and paraffin blocks, and discards dated specimens.
- Operates precision equipment and works with a variety of dyes and chemicals to make tissue abnormalities visible with a microscope. Prepares and maintains solutions required for all procedures. Identifies, labels, and processes tissue according to specifications. Maintains equipment, cleaning, changing solutions, taking temperatures, and replenishing supplies and solutions as needed. Maintains required documentation in all aspects of laboratory functions on a daily basis.
- Follows biohazard and chemical hygiene procedures when handling any specimen, maintaining an orderly and hygienic work area. Follows established lab protocols concerning safety issues, demonstrating knowledge by using personal protective equipment, exhaust hoods and other equipment provided for staff safety. Follows procedures for special specimen handling for send-outs to ensure correct specimen preservation, packaging, documentation, and required communication with reference labs/physicians. Maintains skills and technical knowledge of fixatives, embedding, mounting and staining techniques to provide high quality tissues for pathologists evaluation and diagnosis.
- Establishes a good rapport and cooperative working relationship with members of the laboratory department, nurses and physicians; treating coworkers, patients and physicians with respect, courtesy and professionalism. Monitors the performance of other staff members rotating through the department. Communicates concerns to the director in a timely manner. Conducts team''s orientations and evaluations. Is responsible for prompt and proper technical assignments of histology laboratory and for promptly doing other assigned tasks.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Organizational Requirements:
Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit https://adventisthealth.org/careers/everify/ for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.