MOHS Histotechnician - Dermatology

• Under the general supervision of the physician, prepares tissue specimens by marking tissue samples with ink for orientation, embedding tissue and tissue sections, cutting fresh or paraffin-embedded skin on a cryotome or microtome, treating samples with chemicals, and staining slides from clinical and research sources and patients according to standardized department lab procedures for an optimal microscopic examination and analysis.
• Staining may be performed manually or with an automated slide stainer.
• For Mohs micrographic surgery, maintains appropriate quality controls and records and ensures the Mohs laboratory operates in accordance with OSHA and CLIA regulatory standards.
• Maintains all laboratory equipment in good working order.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Up to 20% time may be devoted to research project support effort and up to 20% time may entail work as a Mohs histotechnician at the Baltimore VAMC under a cost-sharing arrangement.
• Monitors, maintains, and reorders related equipment and supplies.

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
• Completion of a CAHEA-accredited histotechnology program
• 6 months of full- or collective part-time experience in Mohs surgery histopathology within the last three years under the supervision of a Mohs micrographic surgeon or 1 year of recent histology clinical or research laboratory experience

Essential job functions

1. Assists Mohs surgeons with Mohs histotechnology procedures.

• a.
• Prepares slides for Mohs surgeon, to enable the surgeon to provide the correct diagnosis. b.
• Keeps the cryostat and other major Mohs laboratory equipment in working condition to optimize Mohs surgery processes and to fulfill CLIA and other regulatory requirements. c.
• Maintains Mohs records for quality control according to CLIA standards. d.
• Assures the patient slides are filed to meet CLIA requirements. e.
• Monitors supplies to be ordered for Mohs surgery.

2. Performs specimen collection, accessioning and logging routines

a. Checks each specimen for criteria for acceptability, assuring proper patient identification, specimen integrity, and appropriate paperwork. b. Records the receipt of specimens in the log and assigns identification number according to department protocol. c. Refers any problem specimen to the area of collection and informs the supervisor for follow-up action where necessary.