Andrology Endocrinology Technician - Center for Reproductive Medicine North Fayette - Full Time

Andrology/Endocrinology Technician

This is a position for an andrology/endocrinology technician with clinical experience in human andrology/endocrinology at Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine (AHNCRM). Position reports to AHN Manager Laboratory general supervisor and Laboratory Director. Andrology/endocrinology technician is a position for a candidate who completed training in basic and specialized andrology and endocrinology procedures. The andrology/endocrinology technician works independently but under supervision performing assigned duties and responsibilities according to Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine's procedures and protocols. The andrology/endocrinology technician performs diagnostic and therapeutic andrology procedures including semen analysis, sperm washes for intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), trail wash, semen cryopreservation/thaw, and preparation of donor specimens for donor insemination and running serum analyzer.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Professional development: Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reviewing professional publications and relevant text books; Reads scientific development articles and participates in the journal club and continued education discussions as assigned by the laboratory director. These assignments must be executed in depth and on time; Participates in national and international meetings related to the field of fertility, andrology and assisted reproduction to keep abreast of new technologies and research; Contribute to shaping the policy making decisions in our field by joining special interest group committees to mold and influence the future of our industry and enhance the image and reputation of Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine.
• Behavior and conduct: Maintains punctuality, arrives at work in the morning allowing time to change into scrubs and enter the andrology/endocrinology laboratory on time; Wear scrubs only within the premises of the clinic. Coming from home, going home or to the food court or walking down to the mall while in scrubs is absolutely unacceptable and completely prohibited; Consistently considerate of colleagues and maintains a professional environment.
• Team efforts: Works cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team to provide good patient care, while meeting the objectives and goals of the practice; Works weekends and holidays as scheduled, inclusive of on-call responsibilities; Acts as a liaison between the laboratory and other departments to disseminate information and communicate areas for continual quality improvement; Performs andrology/endocrinology duties as assigned by the supervisor or director as needed; Assures fair distribution of andrology/endocrinology procedures among staff and is proactive of helping others; Attends practice and department meetings as requested; Assists the financial/billing department in assuring appropriate and timely billing for testing services.
• Training in basic and specialized andrology/endocrinology procedures: The andrology/endocrinology technician must read, understand and follow written Standard Operating Procedures and Protocols as outlined in the andrology/endocrinology manual at Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine; Full knowledge and proficiency in basic and advanced andrology/endocrinology procedures include the following: 1) quality control of the andrology/endocrinology lab 2) scheduling patients for andrology/endocrinology procedures (if needed) 3) patient chart review and andrology/endocrinology chart preparation 4) communication with patients (in person, telephone, and email) 5) collection room policies and procedures 6) patient identification, intake, laboratory specimen questionnaire and off-site semen collection forms 7) full knowledge of Epic 8) entering data and progress reports into Epic 9) preparation and portioning of media and reagents 10) labeling and preparation of test tubes and cryo vials 11) semen analysis including sperm count, motility, viability and morphology 12) viscosity treatment system 13) Kruger's Strict Criteria 14) retrograde semen analysis 15) sperm wash for IUI 16) trial wash 17) sperm survival assay 18) semen cryopreservation/post thaw count 19) donor sperm ordering, receipt, storage, thaw and processing for donor insemination 20) knowledge of andrology/endocrinology worksheets and reports 21) recording and reporting test results 22) inventory and storage of cryopreserved semen and donor sperm 23) spermac stain 24) epididymis/testicular sperm cryopreservation 25) epididymis/testicular sperm processing for IVF/ICSI 26) surgical sperm collection at area hospitals 27) running the serum analyzer.
• Additional duties and responsibilities: 1)Follows verbal and written instructions and orders given by the lab director and general supervisor 2) strictly follows all safety rules and regulations including sharpies, blood borne pathogens, biological safety and exposure control plans 3) adheres to all laboratory rules and regulations including conduct, dos and don'ts and appropriate behavior 4) demonstrates consideration for colleagues by maintaining a quiet, professional environment in the andrology/endocrinology lab 5) respects patients 6) maintains the confidentiality and integrity of patient medical and private information 7) participates in lab proficiency testing programs as directed by laboratory supervisor/director 8) organizes and maintains accurate records, including patients' test reports, and all andrology/endocrinology related procedures 9) maintains invoices related to purchase of inventory 10) interprets and analyzes test results performed in the laboratory in a timely manner when reporting to referring physicians 11) responds to problems arising with laboratory equipment that may occur during the night and or weekends 12) keeps all lab equipment, supplies and facilities clean and well organized at all times 13) cleans after him/herself 14) possess intermediate to advanced computer skills in spreadsheet, word processing, database development, email, internet access, computer network, and intra-office communications.
• Physical attributes needed: Physical activities such as bending, lifting and climbing are necessary to adequately perform daily duties; Fluency in the English language is necessary to properly and clearly communicate with staff and patients.
• Protocol familiarization study and review: Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's Endocrinology Protocol Manual; Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's Andrology Protocol Manual; Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's laboratory equipment manual; Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's Quality Management Protocol (which includes quality assurance, quality control, and quality improvement); Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's emergency manual; Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's Computer Protocol Manual; Complete knowledge of AHNCRM's employee handbook; Complete knowledge of CLIA, CDC, FDA, OSHA requirements; Complete knowledge of ASRM and AAB/ABB requirements; Complete knowledge of all applicable statutes of State of Pennsylvania.
• Major areas of responsibility and standards of performance: Andrology/endocrinology technicians perform andrology procedures to the highest standards during training and after being cleared and signed off to perform andrology procedures under supervision; 1) Patient contact: Interpret andrology results for patients and referring physicians. Discuss various tests and procedures with patients. Schedule and instruct patients for andrology procedures; 2) Semen analysis: Semen analysis is performed in accordance with established Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine procedures and protocols. Guidelines for semen parameters are in accordance with the World Health Organization. All results are recorded in Epic; 3) Sperm preparation for IUI and IVF: Sperm preparation for IUI/IVF is performed according to established Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine procedures and protocols. Different methods of preparation are employed depending on which procedure is being performed; 4) Donor sperm preparation for IUI and IVF: Donor sperm preparation is performed according to established Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine procedures and protocols. Different methods of preparation are employed depending on which procedure is being performed; 5) Semen freezing: Semen is processed and frozen according to established Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine procedures and protocols. Sample cryo vials and canes are labeled with patient name, date of birth/freeze and accession number, which are then logged in Epic to ensure proper identification when thawed; 6) Thaw of cryopreserved sperm/semen: cryopreserved semen samples are thawed according to established Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine procedures in the case of specimens frozen at Allegheny Health Network Center for Reproductive Medicine; 7) Trial wash: Trial Wash is a comprehensive semen analysis and long term sperm survival study to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative parameters of semen and assess the long term performance characteristics of semen in vitro; 8) Endocrine testing: Run serum analyzer according to manufacturer?s specification. Perform proper daily quality control and monthly analysis of quality control data; 9) Laboratory testing: All andrology related testing must be performed with the highest regard to quality, accuracy, safety, and success. All tests and procedures must be carefully documented on all patient test reports and Epic. When appropriate, additional commentary should be included on test reports. All test reports should be reviewed for completeness and clinical correlation with patient diagnosis. After test completion and review, all worksheets and reports are scanned and filed into patient charts in Epic; 10) Patient chart review and andrology chart preparation: flow cycle sheets, cycle order plans, progress notes, infectious disease testing, consent forms and all other relevant documents are reviewed thoroughly and accurately for patients before andrology procedures; 11) Maintenance of progress notes: A progress report is entered on Epic