Purpose:

The Senior Histotechnician process and prepare specialized tissue samples in a clinical laboratory. Ability to process all Center of Excellence specialized tissues and specimens and prepare all specialized stains and techniques.

Responsibilities:

• Provide independent technical leadership, consulting with the histology leadership team on unusual or complex cases. Serve as a resource to others regarding procedural and technical information. Provide ongoing training, orientation and instruction to histology team members and students.

• Demonstrate complete knowledge of CoPath related to Histology workflow.

• Perform QC checks at each phase of processing/ staining.

• Process and prepare surgical and autopsy tissue specimens for embedding, cutting, staining and coverslipping. Embed and cut specialized tissue based on location including minute biopsy protocols.

• Perform all tasks of an advance staining bench (i.e. IHC, special stains, etc.)

• Accurately prepares slides for microtomy using the barcode label in order to maintain correct patient identification throughout the process.

• Maintain instruments following quality control specifications and daily maintenance protocols. Perform root cause analysis on equipment failures and unexpected test results, informing the supervisor of critical failures. Coordinate equipment repair and service as necessary.

• Ensures all tissues are embedded and cut according to department specific protocols with proper orientation and complete sections including no folds, chatter, artifacts or floaters.

• Perform ancillary or miscellaneous tasks such as filing, cleaning, stocking supplies.

• High school diploma.

• Completion of the educational requirements needed to take the Histotechnician (HT) exam; successful completion of a NAACLS accredited HT program within the last 5 years or an Associate's degree or at least 60 semester hours of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 12 semester hours of biology and chemistry.

• 3 years of clinical laboratory experience post-training is required. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: Am Society Clinical Pathology HT (ASCP) required

• American Society for Clinical Pathology

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran