MOHS Histology/Surgical Assistant

Under the general direction of the surgical director, performs a wide variety of laboratory tests and procedures of moderate complexity (histology and immunohistochemistry), making detailed observations, analyzing data, and recording results. Duties include examination of dermatopathology specimens, Mohs lab including tissue mapping, inking margins and preparation of frozen sections. Maintains laboratory equipment and inventory levels for laboratory supplies. Also responsible for maintaining specimen logs, performs limited troubleshooting and calibration of instruments.

• Performs diagnostic histologic, immunohistochemical and histochemical procedures.
• Must remain compliant with HIPAA, OSHA, and CLIA requirements
• Uses potentially hazardous tools and equipment, blades and scalpels and hazardous chemicals in compliance with and under the guidance of Hospital policy with regards to universal precautions, chemical hygiene, and infection control and laboratory safety.
• Understands and applies knowledge of histologic tissue preparation, opening cassettes and embedding tissues; paraffin block microtomy, frozen section microtomy and preservation of frozen tissues.
• Performs histologic staining techniques and sets-up staining area.
• Operates and maintains automated tissue staining equipment and automated coverslipper.
• Prepares chemicals (mixes/dilutes/reconstitutes solutions, reagents, stains, etc.) in order to maintain adequate supplies of special histologic and histochemical stains. Prepares buffers and fixatives. Labels slides. Ensures compliance with quality control standards as described in laboratory procedure manual for use in staining techniques pertaining to histology, immunohistochemistry, cytology or flow cytometry.
• Ensures chemicals are disposed of according to hospital guidelines
• Prepares antibodies by calculating concentrations.
• Understands and applies immunohistochemistry techniques
• Operates and maintains automated immunohistochemistry staining instrument.
• Calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment.  Records test results.  Prepares control slides.
• Cleans/washes/stores laboratory supplies, equipment and work area in order to ensure proper chemical safety and infection control.
• Informs group leader or supervisor when consumable supplies require replenishing.
• Completes purchase orders
• Cleans and maintains tissue processors
• Performs preventative maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory activities and equipment.
• Records statistical data (e.g., number of cases, blocks, slides, stains) daily.
• Files specimen blocks and glass slides.
• Undertakes laboratory data management (specimen log-in, filing and tracking).
• Interacts with medical staff and co-workers effectively and professionally.
• Participates in the research and development of new procedures and stains as they relate to the improvement of diagnostic testing, under the direction of the supervisor and/or group leader.
• Implements and understands the concepts of Universal Precautions, chemical hygiene, infection control and laboratory safety.
• Cleans and organizes work area and other area of the laboratory as needed.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintains specimen accession file in compliance with regulatory agency requirements and provides test results and related information to authorized personnel verbally or in writing, as required.
• Performs clerical duties (e.g., answers telephone, files, records, in computer data base,  information on cytology and/or flow cytometry specimens, test results, etc.).
• Receives and processes tissues or blood samples in order to prepare specimens for microscopic review.
• Performs diagnostic histologic, immunohistochemical and histochemical procedures.
• Assists in the preparation and performance of human surgical specimen dissection, including accessioning, gross description, fixation and processing.
• Undertakes specimen delivery and mail delivery.
• Accessions and prepares specimens for surgical pathology, cytology and flow cytometry, as necessary. 
• Performs other duties as needed.
• Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-3 years tissue-cutting experience
• Previous experience in using the Microtome, and/or classroom preparation in Micro-Techniques
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional experience may substitute for required education

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Orients, processes and prepares sections of skin intraoperatively during Mohs micrographic surgery procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Independently creates, organizes and maintains text, photo and slide files.
• Ability to function independently and to interact well with surgeons and surgical staff and other departments
• Ability to multi-task
• Analytical ability to understand and solve technical problems as they arise, to develop new techniques as necessary, and to organize information effectively in manual and computerized files
• Excellent manual dexterity and visual acuity.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans