Peraza Dermatology Group is a family-owned, general dermatology practice focused on providing patients with the best skin care and treatment. The practice has grown over the last 40 years, with offices in Claremont, Hanover/Lebanon, New London, Derry, NH, and Windsor, VT. Peraza Dermatology believes in putting patients first, is committed to honesty and integrity in all things, believes in teaching/learning with open ideas, encourages high-performance and accountability, and insists on respectful, constructive team interactions to create a rewarding place to work.
The practice provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, a generous benefits package with health insurance, a 401(k) with a match, paid time off, opportunities for learning and advancement, and a collaborative work environment.
Practice CORE Values:
The mission of Peraza Dermatology Group (PDG) is to provide the highest quality of dermatologic care to each patient in a personal, respectful, and ethical manner. Such care recognizes the importance of quality service to patients and co-workers. In this context, each employee has the following responsibilities as an individual contributor:
- We place the interests of our patients first.
- We are committed to honesty and integrity in all our relationships with patients and colleagues.
- We are a learning practice, open to new ideas. We are honest, and we learn from our mistakes. We do not repeat them.
- We operate as a meritocracy, where high performance is encouraged, and each of us is accountable for our decisions.
- We insist on respectful, constructive team interactions to create a rewarding place to work and operate. We make decisions in a true spirit of collaboration and partnership.
Job Summary:
The Histology Technician is responsible for the accurate and timely preparation of dermatologic biopsy and surgical specimens for pathological examination, including specimen accessioning and reconciliation, gross examination and dissection, tissue processing, paraffin embedding, microtomy, H&E staining, special stains, and immunohistochemistry. The technician ensures accurate specimen identification, labeling, documentation, and quality control while collaborating with pathology coordinators, and clinical staff to produce high-quality diagnostic slides.
The position requires a B.S. degree in a relevant scientific field with demonstrated experience in histology, grossing, and preferably dermatopathology and/or Mohs laboratory procedures. Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, confidentiality, safety awareness, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced healthcare environment are essential.
Primary Duties:
- Prepare, reconcile, accession, and process biopsy tissue specimens in accordance with established laboratory protocols, ensuring accurate specimen identification and labeling across containers, logs, blocks, slides, and requisitions.
- Perform specimen dissection, tissue selection, gross examination, and accurate documentation or dictation of gross descriptions. Review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with submitted specimens and requisitions.
- Perform routine tissue processing, paraffin embedding, microtomy, and preparation of high-quality slides for microscopic examination, including routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, special stains, and immunohistochemistry procedures as required.
- Perform specimen processing, testing, and reporting of test results under the direct supervision of a qualified General Supervisor, unless otherwise qualified. Perform only those high-complexity tests authorized by the Laboratory Director and consistent with the individual's education, training, experience, and technical abilities.
- Follow established laboratory procedures for specimen handling, processing, test performance, result reporting, and maintenance of patient testing records.
- Maintain accurate and complete documentation of specimen processing, quality control activities, proficiency testing, instrument and procedural calibrations, maintenance, and corrective actions.
- Ensure proficiency testing samples are handled and tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
- Adhere to established quality control policies and procedures, including identifying and addressing test systems that fall outside acceptable performance standards.
- Identify, investigate, and promptly communicate specimen discrepancies, processing errors, equipment malfunctions, or other issues that may adversely affect test performance or result reporting to the appropriate supervisor or laboratory leadership. Document all corrective actions taken.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and work areas in accordance with established laboratory policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
- Follow all applicable quality assurance, infection control, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with pathologists, the Pathology Coordinator, and other laboratory and clinical personnel to ensure accurate, efficient, and timely specimen processing and preparation.
- Perform other histology and laboratory duties as assigned.
Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally and compassionately with patients, providers, and coworkers - must be fluent in English.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate patient records and documentation.
- Strong understanding of specimen identification, accessioning, labeling, and chain-of-custody principles.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to specimen accuracy.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with the laboratory pathologist and clinical team.
- Must exercise constant attention to safety practices as defined by the Safety Program's Bloodborne/Airborne Pathogen requirements.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive patient information.
Education:
- Be a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry in the State in which the laboratory is located.
- Have earned a doctoral, master's, or bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution.
- Have earned an associate degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.
- Have education and training that includes at least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes twenty-four (24) semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses and at least 3 months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.
- Have education and training that includes at least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes twenty-four (24) semester hours of science courses that include six (6) semester hours of chemistry, six (6) semester hours of biology; and twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination and at least 3 months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing
Experience:
- Previous professional experience in histology/histotechnology.
- Demonstrated grossing experience.
- Experience with dermatopathology and/or Mohs specimens strongly preferred.
- Experience with routine histology techniques, including:
- Tissue processing
- Paraffin embedding
- Microtomy/sectioning
- H&E staining
- Special stains
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
- Dermatology or dermatopathology laboratory experience.
- Mohs laboratory experience.
- Experience grossing skin biopsies and dermatologic surgical specimens.
- Experience performing and troubleshooting special stains and immunohistochemistry.
- Familiarity with laboratory information systems and specimen tracking/accessioning processes.
- Experience working in a physician-office or in-house pathology laboratory.
Physical Requirements:
- The position requires the ability to work in a laboratory environment for extended periods, including standing and/or sitting for prolonged periods and performing repetitive fine-motor tasks associated with specimen handling, embedding, microtomy, and slide preparation.
- Must be able to safely handle biological specimens, laboratory chemicals, and equipment while following all applicable safety procedures.
- Must be able to balance certain mental and emotional stressors from working in a medical/health care environment.
- Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds (office equipment, supplies, etc.)
- Requires long periods of standing/walking/sitting.
- Requires the ability to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch.
Other:
This job description was written for Peraza Dermatology Group for the role of Histology Technician. This position is required to fulfill "other duties" as assigned by the manager as it fits within the scope of the position.
As part of our hiring process, Peraza Dermatology Group will conduct a background check, which may include criminal history, reference checks, and verification of employment or education for employment applicants, where permitted or required by applicable law.
Applicants will be provided with any required notices and authorization forms before a background check is conducted. Information obtained through the process will be handled confidentially and used only for lawful employment-related purposes.
If information from a background check may affect an employment decision, the applicant will be given any notices and opportunity to respond or dispute inaccurate information required by applicable law.
This disclaimer does not limit any additional background-check requirements that may apply to particular positions under federal or New Hampshire law.
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