Senior, Lab Services Technician - Histopathology

 RUSVM

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) offers a unique program of training on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. A cutting-edge curriculum, with innovative use of technologies and simulations, provides the best possible training for tomorrow’s veterinarians. Students benefit from seven semesters of integrated preclinical and clinical studies at our St Kitts campus, and one year of clinical training at our affiliate veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Our ongoing research focuses on key issues strategically relevant to One Health in tropical and developing countries and includes zoonotic diseases, food safety and security, environmental health, and conservation medicine. We prioritize recruitment of talented faculty and are now seeking a key new member of our team to join us as we develop new programs to best prepare our graduates to face the global opportunities and challenges of veterinary medicine in the 21st century.

 

Position Summary

The Divisions of Laboratory Services and Pathology within the Biomedical Sciences Department at RUSVM are looking for a Senior Laboratory Services Technician for the Histology and Pathology sections. The individual will report directly to the Histology Laboratory Manager with a dotted line to Pathology Laboratory Manager.

The Senior Technician will be required to support the teaching, research, and operations of both laboratories. In the Histology lab, the individual will be required to receive, process, and prepare patient tissue specimens for microscopic examination and analysis by the Pathologist. The individual must be able to work with both dead and live animals without being adversely affected by the sight of blood or unpleasant odors such as those from decomposed bodies, and preservative chemicals in the Pathology Lab. The successful candidate will also be required to work with the faculty teaching team, other departments, and student groups on campus to oversee any components or activities that are related to the Histology and Pathology Labs, and professional veterinary student teaching.

As a member of the team, the Senior Laboratory Services Technician will ensure the maintenance of a clean, sanitized, functional and effective laboratory space that complies with environmental and safety regulations, particularly concerning exposure to chemicals and biohazard material. This individual has the responsibility to enforce compliance with all pathology and histology laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) by all laboratory users (faculty, staff, and students).

The individual must also be self-motivated, possess the ability to solve problems, communicate effectively, and be respectful and meticulous to the needs of students, faculty, and colleagues across campus in accord with our TEACH (Team, Energy, Accountability, Community, Heart) values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Histology Technical Duties and Responsibilities

· Retrieves specimens for processing from different departments: Ross University Veterinary Clinic (RUVC), Pathology Postmortem Trim Room, Research Principal Investigators, and Diagnostic Lab.

· Inking and description of surgical biopsies prior to trimming.

· Trimming of tissue as needed prior to processing.

· Embedding of tissue in cassettes while maintaining proper tissue orientation.

· Trimming and preparation of embedded blocks for and cutting.

· Processing the cutting of sections on microtome including the floatation of sections on water bath and mounting onto microscope slides.

· Rehydration of slides for staining.

· Microscopic examination of quality control (QC) slides to verify proper staining.

· Staining of routine H&E slides and other special stains.

· Cutting paraffin scrolls for PCR.

· Dehydration of slides for cover slipping.

· Maintenance of block storage including filing and block retrieval.

· Decalcification of calcified tissue

· Delivering stained slides to the Pathologists.

Pathology Technical Duties and Responsibilities

· Assist with organizing autopsy classes and managing the use of the Pathology Lab.

· Assist pathologists with post-mortem procedures which include teaching, research, and diagnostic cases.

· Liaise with the RUVC, other clinics and the St. Kitts community to ensure adequate specimen collection and case submissions.

· Prepare animals, tables, room, and instrumentation for autopsy, including laying out instruments and ensuring knives are sharp.

· Store samples selected by the pathologists in formalin or solution.

· Submit selected specimens for further investigation (bacteriology, clinical pathology, toxicology, histopathology) with accurate documentation.

· Prepare tissues for histopathology

· Prepare digital photos of each autopsy for archiving and teaching purposes.

· Store autopsy reports and affiliated lab results in the medical record.

· Organize storage of slides from autopsy, biopsy, and research histology.

· Dissect specimens as needed in the teaching program. Training in animal dissection and anatomy knowledge will be provided.

· Coordinate the incineration and disposal of biohazard waste and biohazard materials.

· Assist with the Packaging of microscope slide for the University’s contribution to Joint Pathology Centre.

Combined Duties

· Manage inventory including the creation of purchase orders using the SIMMS software; stock taking of laboratory supplies, updating of inventory and collection of orders from the Purchasing Department.

· Assist with the preparation of the annual budget.

· Assist with the development and revision of SOPs and maintenance of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as needed

· Prepare and maintain solutions/reagents in accordance with the established SOPs.

· Operate and maintain laboratory equipment used in the operations.

· Cleaning and maintenance of laboratory spaces including equipment, cold rooms/freezers, and external areas where applicable.

· Use of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) VADDS which include entering of retroactive cases, ordering tests, management of cases and invoicing.

· Manage and process requests from Pathologists for specimens/slides to be sent for external testing to reference laboratory.

· Collaborate with team to develop new initiatives, projects, and services.

· Any other duties assigned by management.

Professional Veterinary Student Teaching

Be capable of teaching related laboratory subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of the instructional team in a classroom setting; ideally will be able to function in this role independently if necessary.

The technician will assist the students in their laboratory workups during their practical training and train the students to have good laboratory practice.

Assist the instructional team with the preparation of learning material of the various laboratory disciplines.

Technician will lead on setting up and breaking down of student labs. This includes all necessary preparations, collections, clean-up, and proper disposal for the following student labs:

· Microanatomy: contribute to the basic training and assessment of DVM students in the use of the light microscope in the form of a direct observed preclinical procedure.

· Help develop more advanced training and assessment in light microscopy and associated histological techniques for DVM students as required which may include digital modalities.

Be capable of mentoring students who engage in research projects, assisting, and aiding them in any of the above-described techniques.

Safety

The successful candidate must adhere to all laboratory safety guidelines established by the institution. These safety procedures include successful completion of laboratory safety trainings; knowledge of basic laboratory safety; emergency procedures; personal protective equipment; and appropriate disposal of biohazard waste. The technician will also be required to stay abreast of all administrative

policies and procedures that are available in laboratory safety manuals, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Professional Development and Leadership Training

· Enroll in continuing education courses on an annual basis that are tailored towards personal and professional development.

· Provide and support opportunities for colleagues to cross-train across the different lab departments in the Division of Laboratory Services.

Team Engagement and Enablement

Ability to supervise, motivate staff and promote a collegial work environment in accord with our TEACH values.

· Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, or preferably higher, and additional years of experience in a Histology laboratory setting is required

· Histotechnician or Histotechnologist Certification (HTL, ASCP) desired

· Good knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, Windows, and database applications.

· Ability to effectively communicate professionally in a corporate veterinary medical environment.

· Flexibility to work overtime, weekends and holidays.

· Physical endurance to withstand the demands of the job, which includes heavy lifting and standing for extended periods.

· Background in laboratory maintenance, animal handling, butchering, and embalming is desired, but not required.

· Strong knowledge of and experience with instruments, equipment, supplies, and procedures used in a histology and post-mortem laboratory is considered an asset.

· Knowledge of animal anatomy is highly desired.

· Good spatial ability to perceive three-dimensional and geometric relationships when cutting paraffin blocks and making embedded molds.

· Competent finger dexterity required to manipulate the micro-thin tissue sections and to mount onto microscope slides

· Capable of discriminating color which is required to verify diagnostic quality of staining processes in order that essential features of tissue sections can be properly defined.

· Capacity to work independently.

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation