Grossing Tech/Lead Accessioner

MedStar Health
United States, D.C., Washington
Mar 31, 2025
General Summary of Position This role is responsible for the gross description and prosection of surgical specimens, histologic microtomy, and preparation of intraoperative frozen sections. Working in Surgical Pathology, the role includes leadership responsibilities within the Accessioning and Morgue teams, including overseeing daily operations, being accountable for documentation related to the morgue and specimens, and ensuring policies and accreditation standards are strictly followed. Working hours for this role are Monday - Friday, with an early morning start time (4am-6am). Primary Duties and Responsibilities Conducts gross examination, description, and dissection of level I and level II surgical specimens. Cuts and stains frozen sections. Coverslips slides manually. Embeds specimens with correct orientation and performs microtomy for various staining protocols. Picks up specimens from clinics and operating rooms. Places electronic requests for specimen transport; accession and label specimens; transcribes information from reports and requisitions into the LIS; and ensures accuracy of billing codes. Conducts quality assessments of tissue samples and slide scanning. Maintains accurate maintenance and QC logs, bench excerpts, and other records. Assists with maintaining regulatory compliance in the laboratory, including updating SOPs and participating in inspection preparations. Leads the Pathology Accessioning section by ensuring daily duties are fulfilled, training accessioning staff, and participating in quality improvement activities. As appropriate to the position, performs the gross examination, dissection, and histologic processing of specimens from Mohs micrographic surgeries, collaborating closely with the Mohs surgeon. Assists with coordinating workflow processes and managing supply inventory. Discards archived specimens according to specimen retention protocols. Ensures cleanliness of the laboratory and proper maintenance of equipment. Evaluates new laboratory equipment and procedures. Consults with pathologists or pathologist assistants to procure blocks for research cases to be cut. Assists with transport of embryonic/fetal remains from AP lab to Morgue. Assists with autopsies, including ensuring proper patient identification and organ evisceration. Maintains the organization and cleanliness of the morgue. Ensure the accountability of bodies with timely completion of morgue reports and upkeeping reagents. Interacts effectively with internal and external customers, including persons in bereavement and families of the deceased. Performs workflow audit thorough LEAN Assessments when scheduled to do so. Report completed audit results without delay to supervisory personnel with suggestions for improvement. Adhere to the pre-determined lunch/break schedule, unless otherwise instructed, to ensure adequate coverage of work area so that productivity levels are not compromised. Maintains adequate reagents/supplies in the work area and/or on the instruments to avoid delay in sample processing. Minimum Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree Biological or Chemical Science required and Bachelor's degree Clinical Laboratory Science preferred or Bachelor's degree Histotechnology preferred Experience 1-2 years Histology required or 1-2 years Gross examination required and 1-2 years Leadership experience preferred Licenses and Certifications ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist HTL or HT preferred or ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist MLS or MLT preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Embedding Microtomy Cryostat operation Grossing Manual staining techniques Ability to work effectively in high-pressure environment Interpersonal communication skills This position has a hiring range of $34.98 - $62.52