Anatomic Pathology Technician

Fairview Health Services is looking for an Anatomic Pathology Technician for the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory (IDDL) located in the Mayo building at University of Minnesota Medical Center East Bank. This is a fulltime, evening shift APT position, 3:30PM-12:00AM; rotating weekends and holidays.

IDDL performs over 600,000 Microbiology and Virology tests annually. We span the spectrum from manual reading of bacteriology cultures to state of the art PCR testing. IDDL offers expertise in the following areas: Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology.

The APT performs all work processes necessary for the preparation or procurement of specimens used for high complexity testing as defined by CLIA'88. The APT possesses knowledge of the clinical laboratories (Microbiology/Virology), performs routine and specialty procedures, recognizes problems, identifies basic causes, and makes corrections using established protocols. The APT processes data based on knowledge of technical and instrumental conditions affecting diagnostic test results and performs procedures within established parameters. The APT collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote customer satisfaction. The APT works independently under general supervision.

• Processes specimens including culture set up
• Assesses integrity of all specimens for testing/processing.
• Verifies correct identification of specimens/tissue before testing/processing.
• Follows established guidelines for determining priority of specimen testing/processing and procurement.
• Understands the organizational structure of clinics in relation to the different hospital sites.
• Communicates, in a professional manner, different collection/fixation instructions to professionals collecting specimens.
• Sets up bacterial isolates for susceptibility testing on an automated instrument.

Follows established guidelines and procedures to accession/order enter specimens/tests into the computer system

Performs all work processes necessary for the production of specimens used for high complexity testing as defined by CLIA'88.

Recognizes problems and takes appropriate measures to resolve them

Evaluates diagnostic preparations for quality and initiates interventions as needed.

Complies with Laboratory Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement, and Laboratory Compliance Programs.

Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served.

Required Qualifications

• Associates degree, 24 credits college coursework with emphasis in biology & chemistry, and/or 2 years of applicable laboratory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer BS degree or Medical Assistant degree
• 1-2 years of experience in a clinical laboratory or anatomic laboratory

Other Required Skills

• Strong customer service and communication skills

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of anatomy.
• Good pipetting skills
• Medical Terminology
• Demonstrates the ability to work under stress in a variety of situations
• Ability to exercise independent judgment
• Demonstrate manual dexterity
• Basic computer and keyboarding skills