Technical Group Leader (IHC Lab)

Company: Boston Medical Center
Location: Boston
Posted on: March 30, 2025

Job Description:

Technical Group Leader (IHC Lab)Apply locations Bostontime type Full timeposted on Posted 4 Days Agojob requisition id 38525POSITION SUMMARY:Under the general direction of the Special Procedures laboratory manager performs a wide variety of laboratory tests and procedures of moderate complexity (histology and immunohistochemistry), as defined by CLIA '88, in a diagnostic laboratory. Makes detailed observations, analyzes data, and records results. Duties include performing microtomy on various types of surgical specimens, and tissue preparation of frozen sections.Performs standard hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections, and special histochemical stains, as well chromogenic and fluorescent dyes, and in situ hybridization. Maintains laboratory equipment and inventory levels for laboratory supplies. Expertise in histology and immunohistochemistry technical and the ability to provide leadership in the area of specialty.Position: Technical Group Leader (IHC Lab)Department: Pathology LabSchedule: Full TimeESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Develops new tests and new testing specialty by consulting and working with physician directors of lab sections.
• Orders and/or maintains inventory of all supplies related to the operation of the specialty area.
• Implements a best workflow or practice model for the area of technical specialty.
• Trains all other assigned staff in the technical specialty, and ensures that all training documentation is complete.
• Assesses competency of staff to perform testing in the specialty area, and consults with Supervisors and Physician Directors on needed corrective actions.
• After specialized training and required experience, performs moderate complexity tests and interprets them for performance and accuracy.
• Acts as a resource and interprets tests for laboratory users in a manner consistent with level of training and knowledge.
• Reviews testing and/or procedures performed by other staff to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies as required when deemed qualified to do so by the section supervisor.
• Ensures accurate specimen identification and specimen labeling consistent with section and departmental standard operating procedure.
• Ensures sample testing is performed within the defined 18-24 hour turnaround time set by the department.
• Identifies labeling problems or discrepancies; informs other laboratory sections about patient identification problems.
• Performs instrument and equipment maintenance as defined by each instrument manufacturer. Recognizes instrument, equipment or methodology problems and/or discrepancies and brings them to the attention of the Supervisor.
• Maintains initial and annual competency documentation as outlined in section policies and procedures.
• Attends departmental continuing education classes during the year.
• Participates in scientific or service-related continuing education classes.
• Prepares equipment for processing, embedding, cutting, IHC and special staining, and mounting tissue.
• Attends all scheduled staff meetings or, if unable, accepts responsibility for reading meeting minutes during work time.
• Supports education of students, Pathology residents, new staff and others through participation in teaching activities, which may be didactic, and/or "bench side".
• Supports technical training of departmental staff members, encompassing new employees, new procedures and cross training.
• Communicates all important information regarding the laboratory (i.e. Inventory, testing status and instrument status) to fellow staff members.
• Answers the telephone according to departmental policy; responds to inquiries/requests.
• Works cooperatively with other laboratory staff members and takes initiative to determine where assistance is needed and renders assistance.
• Reports all incidents, safety hazards or accidents to appropriate personnel.
• Attends mandatory safety education sessions to keep informed of changes regarding safety issues.
• Respects patient and employee confidentiality.
• Keeps equipment and work area neat, orderly and well stocked; puts supplies away when received.
• Performs assignments with a minimum of direction and is available to help others.
• Maintains open communication with Supervisors and Medical Directors.
• Plans and prioritizes tasks and adjusts to variable workloads.
• Assesses the inventory on a weekly basis in assigned work area and notifies Supervisor of supply needs.
• Utilizes Medical Center's values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division's mission.
• Follows established Hospital Infection Control and Safety procedures.
• Understands and applies knowledge of histologic tissue preparation, opening cassettes and embedding tissues, paraffin block microtomy, frozen section microtomy, and preservation of frozen tissues.
• Prepares chemicals (mixes/dilutes/reconstitutes solutions, reagents, stains, etc.) in order to maintain adequate supplies of special histologic and histochemical stains. Prepares buffers and fixatives. Labels slides. Ensures compliance with quality control standards as described in laboratory procedure manual for use in staining techniques pertaining to histology, and cytology.
• Ensures chemicals are disposed of according to hospital guideline.
• May cross-train in other areas of pathology and/or other laboratory departments (electron microscopy, frozen section service, special pathology).
• Processes fresh and fixed tissue specimens for surgical, anatomical, and investigative histology preparations under supervision.
• Files specimen blocks and glass slides for additional review and send out testing.
• Assists in the preparation and performance of human surgical specimen dissection, including accessioning, gross description, fixation and processing.
• Receives and processes tissues or blood samples in order to prepare specimens for microscopic review.
• Uses computer system. Understands application of accessioning and histology section of CoPath software (running log sheets, verification, entering patient demographics, etc.).Quality, Compliance and Safety
  • Calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment. Records test results. Prepares control slides.
  • Cleans/washes/stores laboratory supplies, equipment and work area in order to ensure proper chemical safety and infection control.
  • Informs department leadership when consumable supplies require replenishing.
  • Performs preventative maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory activities and equipment.
  • Completes training and maintains competency in Media Lab and Workday.
  • Records statistical data (e.g., number of cases, blocks, slides, stains) daily.
  • Undertakes laboratory data management (specimen log-in, filing and tracking).
  • Maintains specimen accession file in compliance with regulatory agency requirements and provides test results and related information to authorized personnel verbally or in writing, as required.
  • Participates in the research and development of new procedures and stains as they relate to the improvement of diagnostic testing, under the direction of the supervisor and/or group leader.
  • Performs QC procedures and assesses Quality Control data according to Section Policy and Procedures.
  • Recognizes technical and non-technical problems/discrepancies in laboratory operations and brings these problems/discrepancies to the attention of the appropriate parties. These may include Supervisor, Physician Director, or Service Company.
  • Performs analytic testing and assesses the validity of their results according to Section policy and procedures.
  • Maintains proficiency for all designated LIS functions as outlined in section specific policies and procedures.
  • Assists other laboratory sections as needed when directed by supervisory staff members.
  • Participates in Quality Advancement/Quality Improvement activities according to Departmental policies and procedures.
  • Attends departmental continuing education classes.OTHER DUTIES:
    • Interacts with medical staff and co-workers effectively and professionally.
    • Undertakes specimen delivery and mail delivery as necessary.
    • Performs clerical duties (e.g., answers telephone, files, records, in computer database, information on cytology and/or flow cytometry specimens, test results, etc.).
    • Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the department and the hospital's mission and goals.
    • Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards including Diversity and Inclusion policies.
    • Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
    • Performs other duties as needed.JOB REQUIREMENTSEDUCATION:
      • Requires a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in a clinical laboratory science, biological or applied science (chemistry, Biology Biochemistry).CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
        • Histotechnician HT(ASCP) or Histotechnologist HTL (ASCP) certification or eligibility is preferred but not required.EXPERIENCE:
          • Five years of clinical laboratory experience as an IHC specialist as well as documented expertise in the technical specialty, and the ability to provide leadership in the area of specialty.KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
            • Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.
            • Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information required. Experience with CoPath software a plus.
            • Knowledge of clinical laboratory science and standards necessary to perform moderate complexity tests as defined by CLIA and ability to interpret results.
            • Analytic abilities to perform moderate complexity testing as defined under CLIA 88 to interpret findings, perform calculations, calibrate instruments, review moderate complexity testing performed by other employees as defined by CLIA guidelines and so forth.
            • Ability to maintain compliance with all regulatory agency (e.g. JCAHO, CAP, FDA AABB) requirements.
            • Manual/visual dexterity necessary to prepare specimens, prepare solutions, screen specimens and operate a computer software system. Requires English verbal and written language skills sufficient to exchange information with physicians, interact with other technologists, etc.
            • Demonstrate accuracy in preparing, staining and mounting tissue sections.Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans
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Keywords: Boston Medical Center, Boston , Technical Group Leader (IHC Lab), IT / Software / Systems , Boston, Massachusetts