Histology Assistant

DMC University Laboratories, Inc. is committed to providing exceptional patient care in a supportive and collaborative environment. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work with advanced technology and be part of a healthcare community dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

Benefits Statement

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status

Summary Description

Under direct supervision and following established procedures, performs duties necessary to assist the prosecutor with autopsies. Prepares instruments, sets up the morgue, handles specimens, prepares bodies for autopsies, and cleans/decontaminates the morgue autopsy suite consistent with hospital and regulatory policy requirements. Receives surgical tissue specimens and prepares autopsy tissue specimens for microscopic and pathological examination. May be crossed -trained to perform designated duties that benefit the Anatomic Pathology department including but not limited to; answering telephone, assisting with pathology material archival needs; assisting laboratories across campus with needs (gross room and/or morgue) and assisting Senior Laboratory Assistants and other AP staff members with certain duties.

• Assist pathologists in preparing bodies and organ specimens in a high quality environment during the autopsy process (before, during and after care), following all system and laboratory policies and procedures to ensure safety throughout.
• Maintain the morgue autopsy room, supplies and equipment
• Responsible for surgical instruments and lab supplies during autopsy and in gross rooms, ensuring all are in good working order and available as needed.
• Prepare body for autopsy, including lifting/moving entire body, organs, etc.
• Safely work with numerous high risk biologic and chemical hazards
• Responsible for cleaning morgue after autopsy, including all instruments and trays, replacing any dirty linens, washing tables, and ensuring the body is safely managed at all times.
• Assist with daily inventory of patients in morgue cooler, working as needed with hospital administration as to storage needs, security and any immediate needs (i.e., body is leaking fluids, unclaimed, lacking paperwork, etc).
• Follow all hospital and laboratory policies and procedures regarding security, safety, quality, documentation and privacy needs.
• Assist pathologist assistants with needs in gross room, including but not limited to: ordering supplies, putting away supplies, cleaning, disposing of waste and managing day to day needs.
• Provides a daily audit of morgue cooler inventory to administration.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. 6 months experience in preparing and/or eviscerating bodies for subsequent autopsies is strongly preferred.

Skills Required

1. Ability to operate automated, non-automated, and computerized laboratory instruments and equipment.

• Excellent hand-eye coordination - possess manual dexterity and fine motor skills to accurately judge depth and distance; manipulate, adjust and control small objects with coordination such as tissues, forceps, inking, etc
• Vision - possess visual acuity with the ability to discriminate color, details and structures of tissue samples while dictating; ability to clearly read letters and numbers on computer screen, requisition, specimen vial and cassette
• Health - possess the physical, mental and emotional health to work an eight hour day; to be flexible to reach and bend; able to stand for long periods of time; able to concentrate and pay close attention to detail while performing job responsibilities in multitask environment; have mobility to move freely around the laboratory; and lift 20 pounds
• Affective attributes - possess the willingness and ability to be flexible and adaptable to change; be tolerant, ethical, and responsible in all actions; ability to trouble shoot and determine appropriate course of action; prioritize tasks; willingness and ability to perform autopsies at other DMC sites as needed; and perform under stressful conditions
• Hazards - possess the willingness and ability to work with sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, infectious/biohazardous materials, and repetitive tasks
• Communication - possess the willingness and ability to follow verbal and written instructions; and effectively and positively interact and communicate with all patients, staff, doctors, administrators and coworkers.

Facility Description

DMC University Laboratories (DMCUL) is a regional, integrated laboratory system providing services to the eight hospitals of Detroit Medical Center. DMC University Laboratories evolved in 1993 and is comprised of Core Laboratories, Specialty Laboratories, two rapid response hospital laboratories, Centralized Stat Lab, Centralized Blood Bank Lab, and full service outreach infrastructure which includes patient service centers, remote ambulatory laboratories, marketing staff, courier system and billing department. The DMC University Laboratories service area covers the entire Southeast Michigan market, and is growing at a rapid pace with the following outstanding features: Test menu of over 1,000 tests, which includes high end specialty tests. Less than 1% of our tests are sent to outside reference laboratories. Provide reference laboratory services to many of the other healthcare systems in Southeastern Michigan and several out of state facilities.

EEO Statement

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Tenet participates in the E-Verify program. Follow the link below for additional information.

E-Verify: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The employment practices of Tenet Healthcare and its companies comply with all applicable laws and regulations

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
Tenet participates in the E-Verify program. Follow the link below for additional information.
E-Verify: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The employment practices of Tenet Healthcare and its companies comply with all applicable laws and regulations.