Job Description
Description Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?
Entity:
Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania (CPUP) Department:
Dermatology Pathology Location:
3020 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA Hours:
Full-Time, Monday-Friday Summary:
Dermatopathology Lab Technical Assistant performs pre-analytical laboratory tasks, preparatory, and maintenance activities in support of Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology, under the direction of the Lab Ops and Compliance Manager. Responsibilities:
Follows established SOP for the collection, electronic tracking, and processing of pathology specimens for analysis, and evaluates and solves problems related to that process. This includes working with Dermatology and Oral community based practices as well as internal Penn Medicine outpatient facilities to coordinate, receive and reconcile pick up of approximately 300 to 500 specimens daily, distributes supplies to all referring physicians, arranges STAT pickups, coordinates blood pickups that require refrigeration and special handling, provides guidance on requesting consultation services and coordinates a wide range of customer service solutions to providers and their teams. . . Accurately reviews patient samples and requisitions to properly capture all requested tests and evaluate the suitability of the sample. Maintains accurate and orderly log records and/or worksheets where required according to established SOP's. Accurately checks worksheets and lists in the lab Information system and the corrective action log to ensure all pending and completed work is promptly captured. Promptly register and/or accession cases and sends batches to the lab. Accessions cases into Laboratory Information Systemsusing appropriate patient and specimen identifiers. Works with Pre-Reg Specialists toverify insurances and resolve insurance related issues. Enters and creates cases in the Laboratory Information System and creating barcodes for all materials associated with each test for tracking throughout processing. Must use independent judgement and higher level of decision making to ensure proper information has been received and reviewed including Epic orders, any documentation related to corrective actions, reported any issues with specimen integrity and properly coordinated documentation hand off to PSA's prior to specimen grossing and processing.. Cleans and maintains cryostats, tissue processors, paraffin dispensers, embedding stations, microtomes, automated stainers, and other lab equipment, tools, refrigerators/freezers and work stations. Loads and unloads specimen courier bags as well as all supply orders received.. Manages the inventory in the flammable closets, supply rooms, block storagerooms, and supply caches throughout each lab. Properly labels and prepares the hazardous waste generated in the lab for removal. Retrieves surgical specimens from various outpatient clinicsand various other labs and delivers specimens to the appropriate area, using appropriate PPE tracking pickups with barcoding and reconciling receipt upon arrival at the lab. Manages tissue disposal, chemical waste disposal, monitors storage and equipment temperatures, expiration dates and reviews all charts for completion and out of range action plans. QC's slides at the completion of processing and staining and distributes slides to Dermatopathologists for diagnosis, files blocks for storage or additional special stains. Files current and archival slides in an appropriate time period. Distributes frozen section slides to the appropriate staff member. Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies notifies Supervisor of the need for replenishment before the supply runs-out. Stocks workstations . Unpacks and stocks consumables. Files blocks if applicable. Manages the storage and disposal of wet tissue. Uses effective interpersonal skills in all interactions, answers telephone inquiries to the best of knowledge, researches answers if required and returns answer to caller without transferring caller unnecessarily. Works well with peers and those in authority. Maintains a positive rapport with medical staff and hospital personnel, communicates in a highly professional manner at all times. Complies with all Hospital and Laboratory Safety regulations, reports hazards to the Safety officer or Supervisor when found completes in-service mandatory education on or before the due date. Responsible for maintaining adequate staffing on all three shifts, weekends and holidays. Identifies specimen, documentation, and process quality issues and discrepancies and reports to supervisor. Assists in investigation, documentation, and resolution of quality issues. Continuously monitors email for time-sensitive communications regarding specimen handling or quality issues, addresses and responds to emails in a timely manner Monitors Temptrak software to identify refrigerators or freezers out of allowable temperature range. Investigates and addresses issues to maintain appropriate temperature, records actions, and clears alarms. Monitors Temptrak software to identify refrigerators or freezers out of allowable temperature range. Investigates and addresses issues to maintain appropriate temperature, records actions, and clears alarms. Must use independent judgement and higher level of decision making to ensure patient safety and compliance with all CMS and Joint Commission standards. Education or Equivalent Experience:
H.S. Diploma/GED (Required) 5+ years Exp. as a Dermatopathology Technical Lab Assistant I or equivalent (Required) Enrollment in an accredited school of Histotechnology or other previous related laboratory experience (Preferred) Prior experience with Laboratory Information Systems/Penn Chart (Preferred) We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives. Live Your Life's Work We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.
