Grossing Technician I

Schedule :
Monday - Friday (40 hrs/wk)
12:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Training Schedule :
Monday - Friday
12:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Department : AP Processing-373

Primary Purpose :

Provides services of both a technical and non-technical nature in the laboratory service areas. Duties include the examination, gross dictation and dissection of surgical pathology specimens, preparation of tissue for frozen section diagnosis, providing direct assistance to staff and residents in the performance of postmortem examinations, performance and documentation of quality control activities and selected equipment maintenance, data handling and input, and answering the telephone. Ensures that procedures and methods are performed according to section protocol. Performs a variety of support functions to ensure timely completion of pathology services.

About ARUP :

ARUP Laboratories is a national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and an enterprise of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

ARUP proudly hires top talent to create a work environment of diversity, professional growth and continuous development. Our workforce is committed to the important service we provide to over one million patients each month. We always strive for excellence and have a strong desire to have involvement with the advances in medicine and the role laboratory services plays within each patient’s life. We never forget that there is a patient behind every specimen we receive.

We are looking for individuals who want to contribute to ARUP's culture of accountability, integrity, service, and excellence. Consider joining our dynamic team.

Essential Functions :

Understands appropriate specimen collection, handling, and transport procedures. Prepares specimens for analysis and determines acceptability of samples within established guidelines. Has thorough knowledge of specimen acceptance/rejection policies for section.

Triage and accessioning surgical specimens in accordance with established procedures.

Masters all Laboratory Information System (LIS) functions utilized by the section.

Prepares gross description and dissection of surgical specimens including:

Assuring appropriate accessioning of surgical specimens.

Obtaining clinical history.

Describing and dictating gross anatomic features.

Dissecting surgical specimens.

Preparing tissue for histologic processing.

Performing necessary special procedures to prepare specimen (decal, inking).

Photographing all pertinent gross specimens or as requested.

Assessing and assigning appropriate specimen codes.

Grossing authorized specimen types only (See GR-JA-2012A: Surgical Specimen Authorization List).

Prepares frozen sections at the authorized level.

Prepares all cut specimens for histologic submission in accordance with established procedures:

Submitting all cassettes labeled appropriately.

Submitted with all required paperwork and/or logs.

Submitted in a timely manner to ensure proper processing to achieve high quality specimen for embedding, cutting, and staining.

Maintains the Gross Dissection Lab:

Ensures a clean, well-organized work area. Cleans bench surfaces, cutting stations, and equipment as required and documents.

Performs required daily cleaning and maintenance for the Cryostat in accordance with established procedure and appropriate documentation.

Performs daily stain maintenance in accordance with established procedure and appropriate documentation.

Ensures adequate supplies to complete the daily-required tasks.

Assists pathology residents and staff pathologists with comprehensive autopsy procedures (pre, during and post) at UUHSC.


Prepares for autopsy by receiving the body, obtaining necessary documentation, and setting up environment to facilitate autopsy procedures.


Maintains cleanliness of the autopsy suite by performing post examination cleaning and sterilization as per procedure.


Performs documents and reviews departmental quality control following appropriate procedures.


Assists in properly labeling, identifying, and preparing of autopsy specimens.


Completes all necessary paperwork in accordance with established procedures in a concise, legible and timely manner with all required information.

Complies with safety and biohazard regulations in accordance with established procedures.

Follows all Quality Control/Assurance and Improvement regulations in accordance with established procedures, documenting all QC as appropriate.

Participates in annual competency testing as directed by the laboratory supervisor in accordance with APHP-POLICY-3021: Anatomic Pathology Group I Expectations.

Performs new procedures, with appropriate orientation and training, as directed by the laboratory supervisor.

Assists in the orientation and training of new personnel, as directed by the laboratory supervisor or senior staff.

Observes principles of data security and patient confidentiality. Maintains ethical standards in the performance of testing and interactions with patients, co-workers, and other health care professionals.

Maintains open and effective communication with personnel in work teams, and with members of other teams throughout the organization.

Demonstrates professional demeanor, in personal appearance and behavior, in all work-related interactions inside and outside of the laboratory.

Other duties as assigned.

Physical and Other Requirements :

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Mobility: The person in this position needs to occasionally move between work sites and inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

Communicate: Frequently and effectively communicate with others.

PPE: Biohazard laboratory environment that requires use of personal protective equipment in accordance with CDC and OSHA regulations and company policies.


ARUP Policies and Procedures: To conduct self in compliance with all ARUP Policies and Procedures.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects, including the human body.

Vision: Having close, far, and peripheral visual acuity to perform a variety of tasks such as make general observations of depth and distance.

Fine Motor Control: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

Continuing Education: Continual assessment of current literature and best practices.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities


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