Histologic Technician - Pathology Department - Full Time - Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. 

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: 

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Shift Differential Pay: P.M. shift (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM) = 10% of base pay.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Histologic Technician - Full-time

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $29.5888 to $39.7649 per hour. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Definition:

Under direction, to assist pathologists in surgical pathology functions, including preparation of histology specimens and the performance of autopsies; and to do related work as required.

Essential Functions:

• Embeds, blocks, cuts and stains surgical and autopsy tissue for microscopic study;
• Performs special staining of certain blocks of surgical and autopsy tissue;
• Prepares staining and fixing solutions; spine body fluids for tumor cell study;
• Sharpens microtome and other knives;
• Cleans and cares for special machines and equipment used in cutting and processing tissues;
• Files paraffin embedded tissue blocks; photographs specimens, as requested;
• Preserves and stores gross tissues;
• Maintains neat and clean area for surgical pathology, including maintenance of instruments for autopsy and surgical pathology;
• Assists with frozen sections under the supervision of a pathologist;
• Assists the pathologist, during autopsy;
• Performs gross dissection of body;
• Makes appropriate measurements, weights and other observations, including:
• Organ relationships, presence of foreign objects, presence of blood, fluid, or air;
• Presence of adhesions or perforation;
• Under direction of the pathologist, enters observations on report forms;
• In the absence of the cytotechnologist, performs technician duties in cytology;
• Disposes of tissue in accordance with hospital and state regulations.

Other Functions:

• Performs other job related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Completion of two years of college, including courses involving biological or zoological laboratory classes or two years of experience in a clinical laboratory performing staining and preparation of microscope slides or similar work or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Training in an A.M.A. approved program for Histologic Technicians and certification by examination from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists is desirable.

Knowledge of:

The principles, practices, techniques, and terminology used in surgical pathology; ability to assist pathologist in performing autopsies; skilled in the general preparation and processing of histology specimens.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.