Histopathology Technician

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Histopathology Technician is located within the Pathology and Laboratory service line at Harry S. Truman VA. This occupation possess the knowledge and skills to process anatomical tissue and cytological cell samples obtained from the patients by a clinician. The work performed by histopathology technicians is vital for pathologists to interpret laboratory results and provide diagnoses that allow clinicians to plan appropriate and life-saving treatments for patients.

• Duties are but not limited to: Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures, quality control and assurance procedures. Conducts operational and routine maintenance of instrumentation, troubleshooting, and principles of performance improvement Performs specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies. Performs preparation of technically adequate slides for surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining (including immunohistochemistry), and coverslipping. Conducts oversight of all activities related to the frozen room and autopsy services, as well as oversight of the morgue for adherence to the facility and regulatory safety, quality control, and privacy regulations. Inspects internal autopsy permission forms for completeness and correctness. Prepares specimens for gross analysis to include measurements and separation, assists with dissection of tissue as necessary under the direction of the pathologist, utilizes sterile technique during the dissection and sampling of specimen for microbiological cultures; prepares tissues for cryosectioning by embedding in gel medium, mounting on the metal tissue disc, and loading the specimen appropriately into the cryostat; performs cryosectioning of specimens, operates the cryostat machine to slice tissue samples to sections (typically 5 to 10 micrometers in thickness) of sufficient suitability for fixing to slides and staining; fixes tissue cryosections to glass slides and stains using various histologic stains producing slides of sufficient color and quality for examination by pathologists to differentiate cells during microscopic examination. Recovers remaining tissue and preserves it with fixative as appropriate. Labels all specimens in accordance with established procedures. Operates the autoclave as necessary to sterilize tubes, vials, and other instrumentation. Assists new pathologists, pathology residents, and autopsy assistants in the safe techniques used to perform autopsies by carrying out highly specialized technical procedures to include, but not limited to, removal and dissection of organs, brain, and spinal cord in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or atomic variation, collects special studies, and processes specimens for reference laboratory testing; bags and identifies all tissues from autopsies and places into storage; preparing and setting up for brain dissection and gross examination weekly as needed. Prepares bodies for viewing by family members and transports body to the chapel for viewing as necessary. Submits necessary information to the VA Program Support Assistant and/or Supervisor for UMC billing purposes and completes monthly VA reports for autopsy and frozen section as required. Assists with the preparation, collection, transportation, or ordering of reference laboratory specimens as needed. Assists with identifying unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous results. Performance of work in the outpatient phlebotomy laboratory and inpatient phlebotomy draws as necessary, and whenever not performing morgue or frozen room duties. This consists of drawing blood from patients for requested laboratory tests, using special drawing techniques, assuring the proper tubes are used, ensuring the correct amount of blood is drawn. Special drawing procedures include, but are not limited to, glucose tolerance testing with glucose tolerance liquid, timed cortisol testing with cortisol injection, preparation of collection site and collection of blood cultures. Performs daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly maintenance of morgue, autopsy room, and frozen room as necessary to include, but not limited to, clean and disinfection of work areas as necessary, disposal of tissue as required by laboratory standards, set up or tear down of autopsy room for completion of autopsy when available and when absent, cleaning of the gross area, disinfection of the cryostats at minimum monthly, production and replacement of stains and preservatives as required by laboratory standards, assures all reagents are labeled in accordance to OSHA guidelines. Assists in providing education of Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Phlebotomy students, as assigned by the supervisor. Other duties as assigned by Chief of Staff, Medical Director, or other designee. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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