Surgical Pathology Technician

Responsibilities:

• Attend mandatory safety, compliance and other meetings required by laboratory and hospital guidelines.
• Examine and prepare surgical biopsy specimens for microscopic evaluation by providing gross description of each case as defined by the Surgical Pathology Manual while maintaining accurate records of all activities.
• Consistently provide an accurate gross description of surgical specimens as recorded in case report for pathologist.
• Perform additional special specimen handling radiography, photography, special fixation, etc.
• File and retrieve surgical and autopsy materials and maintain accurate records of all such activities.
• Maintain record logs for the equipment.
• Replenish supplies for physicians' offices.
• Ensure proper operation, repair and replacement, and preventative maintenance of area equipment and tools.
• Verify complete and accurate patient identification on specimen requisition and container and reject specimens with conflicting/inadequate patient identifiers.
• Correlate patient history with specimen type and consult admitting clinician with conflicts.
• Utilize voice recognition software during documentation of specimen gross appearance.
• Receive, sort, and verify patient identifiers as cases are accessioned with bar coded labels.
• Perform proper handling, storage and disposition of all surgical and autopsy tissue while adhering to the regulatory and compliance standards regarding biohazard and safety.
• Document discrepancy and resolution in APLIS.
• Perform clerical/computer entry functions including ordering departmental supplies and maintaining adequate stock.
• Attend in-services, lectures, and training classes, as required.
• Receive and accession specimens in LIS.

• Associate's degree in a laboratory science AND 2 years of hospital laboratory experience; OR 
• Bachelor's degree in biology or related health sciences required AND 1 year of hospital laboratory experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory information system experience preferred. 
• Good oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with all age groups and populations of external and internal customers as well as co-workers both by telephone and in-person.
   

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran