Pathology Technician

POSITION SUMMARY
This position is responsible for performing routine to complex autopsy and laboratory diagnostic and research procedures including histological slide preparation; cutting and staining paraffin-embedded and frozen sections. Leads a rapid-response autopsy team.

CORE FUNCTIONS
1. Performs various laboratory tests in accordance with standard practice. These include histological procedures such as tissue fixation, tissue sectioning on paraffin, cryostat and sliding freezing microtomes and staining sections with classical stains such as hematoxylin and eosin, silver stains such as Gallyas and Campbell-Switzer as well as with immunohistochemical methods. Labeling and filing of slides. Biochemical methods that are part of standard practice may include preparation of fresh and frozen single-cell suspensions, processing of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, western blotting, ELISA, RNA and DNA isolation and Bioanalyzer analysis.

2. Documents laboratory test results verbally, in personal laboratory notebook, in dedicated shared laboratory binders as well as on workflow files on the network computer (Excel spreadsheet).

3. Labware supplies and preparation including buffers, fixatives and stain components; cleaning of labware, including manual cleaning and dishwasher; ordering and maintaining lab supplies and autopsy supplies.

4. Performs duties for on-call brain autopsy program including carrying a cell phone and/or pager when on duty, responding by phone to calls 24/7 within 10 minutes of being called, reporting for duty at morgue within one and a half hours of being called, receiving the body from the transport company according to standard protocols, performing the role of brain team leader or body team leader, dissecting and processing the brain or body according to standard protocols, supervising an assistant during these protocols, and completing all documentation related to the autopsy. Responsible for updating information in the shared database.

5. Performs related work, which may include assisting with animal surgery, analysis of microscopic slides, data analysis, review and summary of scientific literature and drafting of scientific publications. This may involve working solo or with a team.

6. Customers are primarily internal to the organization. Occasionally does come into contact with outside vendors, couriers and professionals who bring specimens to the laboratory or take specimens/human remains from the laboratory/morgue.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science degree in biology or biosciences.

Incumbent must maintain absolute confidentiality regarding human subject identity and must have ability to communicate sufficiently to perform duties in a manner consistent with departmental scope of services and standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Coursework in gross human and/or vertebrate anatomy. Relevant experience in hospital pathology setting and/or biomedical research.

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.