LAB - Anatomic Pathology Attendant (PRN) at Blanchard Valley Hospital

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The primary purpose of this position is to follow departmental standard operating procedures and routines for specimen handling, including but not limited to: receiving, registering, accessioning, processing, staining, cover slipping, and labeling of histology and cytology specimens (surgical & both PAP and Non-GYN). This will include processing of cytology specimens, care of all department instruments and analyzers, related housekeeping duties, maintenance of instrument logs, logging specimens into computer, picking up specimens from surgery, filing blocks as well as maintaining a clean and safe environment. Interacting with customers both internally and externally and being a productive TEAM member of the Pathology team and will work closely with Pathologists and other members of the Medical Staff.  The associate may be responsible at the, Histotechnologist or Cytotechnologist’s direction, to prepare non-gyn specimens and assist at fine needle aspiration biopsies.  The associate will set up equipment, prepare solutions, and prepare supplies to be distributed to physician offices. The associate must perform accurate and complete registration of all specimens delivered to the anatomic pathology lab while meeting acceptable registration accuracy rates. 

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Duty 1:  Practices effective communication skills, i.e. listening, phone skills, etc. and maintains a respectful and courteous attitude at all times. Communication reflects the organizations culture of Service Excellence. Makes suggestions in a positive, tactful manner.  Maintains clean, neat, professional appearance, i.e. wears ID badge, slip resistant shoes, and complies with department dress code.
• Duty 2:  Properly processes incoming specimen requisitions, maintaining accuracy of all demographic information for registration and submission process in the LIS system.  Uses two patient identifiers at all times to ensure identification accuracy. Checks all gyn cytology requisitions and their corresponding specimens for accuracy and completeness of information.  Submits all gyn specimens in Meditech and processes each specimen as either as ThinPrep or conventional pap smear.  Performs accurate and complete registration of all specimens delivered to the lab while meeting acceptable registration accuracy rates.  Makes sure that all information fields are completed and accurate and insurance information is current.
• Duty 3:  Accurately prepares working reagents and stains to ensure good quality of slides.  Maintains good quality control and instrument maintenance records at all times.  Keeps accurate inventory of supplies and reagents and assists in ordering as necessary.  Distributes supplies to all necessary collection sites.  Maintains proper filing system for patient requisitions, log sheets, and specimen slides.
• Duty 4:  Prepares, stains and coverslips slides according to the needs of the pathologists.  Is able to ensure the pathologists have representative specimens.  Shows good judgment in evaluating quality of histology slides.  Assists the pathologists with frozen section biopsies.  Actively participates in learning the skills of embedding and cutting tissue. 
• Duty 5:  Completes all mandatory learning requirements for specific job along with assigned laboratory competency requirements and documentation.  Works within and consistent to the Mission, Vision and Values of the association and successfully pursues completion of all personal and departmental goals.  Exhibits self-directed motivation for continuing education related to maintaining and enhancing skills for, and potentially beyond, current job title.  Regularly demonstrates thorough knowledge of current job duties. Keeps aware of changes in technology of area. Stays familiar with up-to-date equipment. Attends in-services which apply to the job and is active in laboratory meetings.
• Duty 6:  Ensures proper disposal of tissues and chemicals.  Maintains department cleanliness.  Properly disposes of all specimens according to laboratory policy.
• Duty 7:  Is able to maintain organization in a confusing area. Is able to plan the day to ensure effective completion of duties. Prioritizes correctly to ensure the quickest response times for the most important areas of the jobs. Works at a suitable pace.  Can adjust as workload increases. Maintains organization of area in spite of frequent interruptions.  Follows instructions with little or no follow-up supervision.  Regularly demonstrates thorough knowledge of current job duties. Follows all laboratory and hospital safety regulations.  Organizes specimens correctly to ensure that are processed in a timely manner according to their priority.
• Duty 8:  Attendance: Is punctual and is present when scheduled. Adheres to attendance policy – please document absences, occurrences and tardiness
• Duty 9:  Keeps abreast of posted information from memos, minutes of meetings, and department communication logs. Participates actively in laboratory staff meetings. Shows respectful attitude when dealing with other professionals.
• Core Competencies and Performance Appraisal Dimension.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED equivalent. 
• Knowledge of clinical or anatomical laboratory functions, medical terminology or science background. 
• Individual must be organized, able to prioritize, work in a fast pace environment and have excellent problem solving skills.
• Individual must be customer focused, serviced oriented and be able to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Individual must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on his/her assigned unit/department. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient status.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience or knowledge of computers, telephone operations and equipment maintenance preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent walking, lifting, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, twisting, sitting and standing. The associate will be required to walk, bend, and stand from 34-66% of a shift. The individual must be able to lift twenty to fifty-five pounds and reach work above the shoulders. This associate must have excellent eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity and the ability to grasp different items. The associate must be able to visually identify appropriate color indicators specific to testing interpretation and hear audible alarms.  This position requires the associate to work at a high rate of speed, remain focused while multitasking, and continually perform all duties error free.

This position is classified “at risk” for possible occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (HBV, HIV, etc.)