UNIV- Research Specialist I - Histology Core - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Sciences - Charleston

Job Description Summary

Under general supervision, this individual will perform a variety of basic laboratory procedures in the Department of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine. These procedures will primarily involve preparation of biological specimens for visualization by light microscopy. The position will be directly day-to-day supervised by the RSII Lab Manager (Core Resource Manager). Further, they will be supervised by the Director of the Core Facility who oversees the Lab Manager as needed.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001004 COM PATH Cores CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-04

Pay Range

$31,561 - $44,977 - $58,393

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Description:

Under general supervision, this individual will perform a variety of basic laboratory procedures in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. These procedures will primarily involve preparation of biological specimens for visualization by light microscopy. The position will be directly day-to-day supervised by the RSII Lab Manager (Core Resource Manager). Further, they will be supervised by the Director of the Core Facility who oversees the Lab Manager as needed.

Job Duties:

30% Sectioning and staining of tissue specimens with both routine and more specialized staining procedures. Routine staining includes standard protocols for Hematoxylin and Eosin stains. Special staining includes Immunohistochemistry, trichrome stains, and various others a client may request. Ability to alter staining protocols based on the requests of the client and document the changes for future similar requests. Expert – Demonstrates mastery of responsibilities by leading and working independently with a high-level of reliability, accuracy, and timeliness in completion of all duties in this area. Is proactive in developing and implementing system improvements, if warranted.

30% Processing of both human and animal tissues following protocols for preparation of frozen and/or paraffin sections. Includes consulting with and advising clients on protocol requests for embedding orientation and section preferences when cutting specimens. Capability of using logic and knowledge to fulfill a difficult request of orientation and problem solving if the request is not possible. Expert – Demonstrates mastery of responsibilities by leading and working independently with a high-level of reliability, accuracy, and timeliness in completion of all duties in this area. Is proactive in developing and implementing system improvements, if warranted.

15% Assisting Histopathology Core Resource Manager in coordinating and completing specimen processing for IRS approved clinical trials. This includes tracking and referring to protocol requirements for each unique trial and logging records for all completed specimens. Prioritizing and completing procedures for human trial specimens in a timely manner and before performing research tissue protocols in order to maintain a short wait period for patients. Expert – Demonstrates mastery of responsibilities by leading and working independently with a high-level of reliability, accuracy, and timeliness in completion of all duties in this area. Is proactive in developing and implementing system improvements, if warranted.

15% Maintaining inventory and ordering all supplies and materials required to successfully operate the Histopathology Core Resource. Keeping track of expiration dates and disposal methods for products and chemicals including hazardous wastes. Labelling and documenting supply orders upon arrival to ensure an up to date inventory. Expert – Demonstrates mastery of responsibilities by leading and working independently with a high-level of reliability, accuracy, and timeliness in completion of all duties in this area. Is proactive in developing and implementing system improvements, if warranted.

10% Filing blocks and slides for human archival tissues. Following procedures required by the Surgical Pathology Lab Manager for retrieving and returning blocks and slides to their correct files in order to prevent misplacing any human specimens. Making sure to follow Pathology and Laboratory medicine and Hospital guidelines while cutting blocks to prevent depletion of tissues. Expert – Demonstrates mastery of responsibilities by leading and working independently with a high-level of reliability, accuracy, and timeliness in completion of all duties in this area. Is proactive in developing and implementing system improvements, if warranted.

Minimum Requirements:

A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous)
Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent)
Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous)
Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent)
Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent)
Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent)
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous)
Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent)
Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/
Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent)
Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent)
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous)
Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous)
Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous)
Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous)

Additional New Requirements:

Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
Ability to work overtime as required.
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb, using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to fully use both legs. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. (Continuous) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25-30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/ Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs. or greater, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors, normally. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to hear and/or understand conversations. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and annually. (Continuous) Additional New Requirements: Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees