At Houston Methodist, the Lead Histology Technician position is responsible for serving as the lead person for the assigned section(s) within Laboratory Services and in this capacity performs lead job duties and/or regularly leads projects or performs specialized responsibilities as a regular part of normal job responsibilities. This position serves as the liaison between management, staff and physicians for routine matters, resolving questions and issues. This position serves to support staff in ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties may be varied and may include many of the following: organize work schedules, create work assignments, review timecards for accuracy, conduct quality assurance audits of staff performance, develop and implement quality improvement activities, train and mentor staff, provide feedback on staff performance and developmental needs, collect/analyze/report on data, prepare reports on performance and metrics, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level. This position performs Histology Technician/Specialist functions, such as performing both routine and complex analyses and ensuring that specimens are accessioned and processed expeditiously in order to deliver quality laboratory results in an effective and cost efficient manner. This position also fulfills the duties of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) General Supervisor when required.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills.

• Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Interviews applicants and provides input into hiring of new staff.

• Participates in laboratory and organization wide initiatives. Represents Laboratory Services in committees as directed.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates the workflow, processes, staff assignments, and services provided for assigned laboratory section(s), adjusting as needed, to result in optimum patient care, throughput and patient experiences. Ensures turnaround time expectations as defined by management are met by the section teams.

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift and sections.

• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures in the assigned work area.

• Recognizes and ensures critical values (and/or reportable results) with appropriate laboratory information system documentation.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Processes specimens and demonstrates knowledge of specimen requirements and laboratory rejection policies.

• Actively participates in and achieves an acceptable level of performance on proficiency and competency testing samples.

• Develops plan, leads implementation, and performs data analysis of validations. Coordinates instrument maintenance and repairs. Assists with policy review and submission.

• Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues for section. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.

• Compiles and reviews monthly quality control data, to include actions for variances identified, and provides proper documentation. Oversees section compliance by reviewing and responding to College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation Checklists questions/findings. Completes online CAP Inspector Training. Investigates and responds to reports on patient safety matters.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Provides leadership to staff on efficient utilization of time according to budgetary guidelines. Accurately reviews and edits team member's timecards for management approval.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies for self and others with a focus on continual development. Gains and utilizes knowledge of new technologies that are emerging for laboratory.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Associate degree in related field if certified after December 31, 2004

• If fulfilling the duties of CLIA General Supervisor - Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of experience as a Histology Technician.

• May consider HM employee with at least three years of experience, of which a minimum of one year as a HM Histology Technician and who demonstrates leadership abilities

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• HT(ASCP) - Histotechnician (ASCP) OR
• HTL(ASCP) - Histotechnologist (ASCP)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities including organizing heavy workflow with minimal supervision

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills

• Strong attention to detail and ability to achieve and maintain accuracy

• Ability to work independently and execute above average technical skills

• Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion to recognize problems ranging from simple to complex, identify causes and take corrective action

• Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills

• Able to research information for new platforms and/or emergent technologies

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents

• Ability to recognize changes that are critical to patient care

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.