Histotechnologist I

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:
Dermatology MOHS Lab

Job Summary:
JOB SUMMARY:
Prepares Mohs tissue specimens for microscopic examinations by frozen section microtomy utilizing a cryostat and handles the more specialized jobs involving histo- and immunocyto-chemistry; maintains adequate quality controls.

Completes daily workload as assigned to include embedding, cutting, and staining tissue specimens.
• Performs and documents routine maintenance; maintains departmental records as assigned.
• Maintains department supplies at acceptable levels.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Organizes and prepares Mohs specimens for Microscopic Examinations
• Performs routine and pre-routine maintenance of instruments for processing tissue
• Embeds Tissue as specified by Pathologist for correct orientation
• Sections Tissue (frozen sections) according to established protocols for specimen type
• Staining (includes histo and immunocyto chemical procedures
• Performs Histochemical procedures following Laboratory protocol (i.e., special staining)
• Performs immunocytochemistry (Immunoproxidase) procedures following Laboratory protocol
• Maintains quality standards as outlined in Departmental Procedure Manuals
• Staining (includes histo and immunocyto chemical procedures)
• Performs general stain for H&E following Laboratory protocol
• Maintains records related to:
• Daily worksheets
• Embedding data (tissue)
• Bone Marrow patient data (order entry)
• Histochemistry (Special Stains) data and quality control
• Immunocytochemistry (Immunoperoxidase) data and quality control
• Performs routine and pre-routine maintenance
• Performs corrective and preventive maintenance and instrument function checks and documents results per department policy and protocol
• Recognizes instrument malfunction and promptly takes corrective action by performing repairs or notifying a supervisor
• Completes periodic maintenance as per established protocols
• Maintains department supplies
• Restocks items used to insure availability to next person/schedule
• Documents receipt and opening of supplies and items; stocks per department policy
• Monitors expiration dates of supplies and reagents and discards old items per department policy
• Recognizes depletion of items and notifies responsible person for ordering

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• Quality Assurance: Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, constantly striving for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in the process of establishing, communicating and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to actually work on and improve a current business process, product or service.


• Diagnostic Testing: Demonstrates proficiency of diagnostic testing in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results.


• Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health's reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance.


Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.

Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.


Team Interaction: Provides support to team members.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Histotechnician (HT) or (HTL) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Relevant Work Experience, Mohs frozen section microtomy highly beneficial.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

1 year

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health's reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:
Histotechnologist - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Work Experience:
Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :
2 years

Education:
High School Diploma or GED

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.