Surgical Pathology Technologist

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day.

We all have the power to help, heal and change lives — beginning with our own. That’s the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

Job Title

Surgical Pathology Technologist

Location

Weston

Facility

Florida Weston Hospital

Department

Pathology-Weston Hospital

Job Code

001691

Shift

Variable

Schedule

10:00am-6:30pm/8:30am-5:00pm

Job Summary

Job Details

Join Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital’s team of caregivers that remain on the leading edge of technology and education, all while consistently providing patient-centered healthcare. As part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, Weston Hospital is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Florida regions. Here, you will receive endless support and appreciation while building a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

As a Surgical Pathology Technologist, you will play a key role in preparing tissue samples for microscopic examinations by pathologists. In this role, you will receive and label specimens, accession pathology specimens, assist with gross examination, process and embed tissues, cut thin sections, and perform various stains. You will support the team by processing, describing, and dissecting small tissue specimens, including biopsies from various specialties such as GYN, GU/GI, and breast. Additional responsibilities include preparing frozen section slides, specimen disposal, documentation, and quality control (QC) activities. Your work is critical in supporting innovative surgeries, accurate diagnoses, and the advancement of medical services we provide.

A caregiver in this position works variable shifts between 10:00 a.m. -- 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Use independent medical judgment and minimal supervision to identify, measure, weigh and describe tissue specimens.
• Follow procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Adhere to the laboratory's quality control policies and document all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Assume responsibility for and acts regarding any quality control or quality assurance issues.
• Maintain instruments and equipment in accordance with specifications.
• Perform proficiency testing in compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations (e.g., analyze proficiency survey sample in the same manner as a patient specimen, complete record retention, ensure accurate documentation and result reporting).
• Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or the reporting of test results and correct the problems or immediately notify the General Supervisor, Technical Supervisor, Clinical Consultant or Laboratory Director.
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Process special tissue studies per protocol (e.g., muscle, nerve, kidney, or lymphoma).
• Prepare frozen sections for rapid diagnosis and specimens for processing.
• Receive tissue specimens, assign accession numbers and distribute per protocol.
• Perform patient and specimen data entry and complete quality assurance documentation for requisition, specimen and processing problems.
• Perform radiographs of gross specimens
• Prepare specimens for storage, transport and process specimens and maintain specimen records.
• Assist with the instruction of residents, visiting physicians, tech trainees and new employees regarding surgical pathology techniques and procedures.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution
• OR Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university AND have education and training equivalent to high complexity testing personnel per CLIA
• Diploma and/or transcripts must be provided
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as excellent customer service and organizational skills
• Ability to interact at all levels of the organization and work independently as well as problem solve and troubleshoot

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• One year of clinical experience

Physical Requirements:

• Requires manual dexterity and visual acuity required when handling gross specimens and utilizing instrumentation, ability to safely handle potentially infectious patient specimens, carcinogenic substances, odorous and other hazardous materials to which they may be regularly exposed.
• Visual acuity to study specimens under a microscope.
• The ability to distinguish colors.
• Typical physical demands include ability to sit or stand extensively and frequent walking, occasional lifting or carrying of 5 to 40 pounds.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.