Job Description: Grossing Technician
Position Entity
Cayuga Medical Center
Position Title
Grossing Technician
Position Code
2249
Department
Pathology
Pay Range/Grade
$28.35 to $39.38
FLSA Status
Non- Exempt
Position Type
Full Time
Remote Work Tier
1
Exposure Category
1
Reports To
Manager, Anatomic Pathology
Centralus Health Mission
Our mission is to deliver high-quality care; empower our teams to success and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve.
Job Summary
The Grossing Technician supports the anatomic pathology department by accessioning, grossly examining, and processing routine surgical pathology specimens. Responsibilities include specimen preparation, intraoperative consultation support, specimen management, and gross room maintenance; ensures compliance with all regulatory and safety standards. This role may also assist with postmortem examinations.
Essential Job Functions
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Perform gross examination of routine, uncomplicated surgical specimens, including accurate description, orientation, inking, sectioning, and tissue selection (CPT 88300-88305 and select 88307).
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Prepare specimens for histologic processing, including cassette loading and appropriate tissue processor programming.
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Assist with intraoperative consultations, including frozen sections and touch preparations.
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Triage specimens for ancillary testing and external send‑out studies as required.
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Ensure accurate specimen identification, accessioning, requisitioning, and maintenance of specimen integrity throughout processing.
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Maintain slide, block, and specimen retention systems in accordance with departmental policy.
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Maintain and support gross room operations, including inventory management, cleaning, and instrument maintenance.
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Identify, correct, or promptly report issues affecting test performance or result reporting; fully document corrective actions.
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Comply with all laboratory, hospital, corporate compliance, infection prevention, safety, Joint Commission, New York State, and HIPAA requirements.
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Maintain professional competency through required continuing education (minimum 12 CE hours annually), training activities, and mandatory education programs.
Maintain compliance with Employee Health and Occupational Medicine policies (i.e., PPD testing and Influenza vaccination).
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Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain slide, block, and specimen retention and retrieval systems in accordance with departmental policy.
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Appropriately discard specimens and biohazardous materials according to laboratory policy.
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Monitor and maintain inventory levels, resolve ordering issues, and participate in inventory management initiatives.
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Support quality improvement activities, including validation of new processes and reagents, and policy/procedure review.
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Participate in postmortem examinations as assigned.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Important Note: (*) indicates an essential function of the job as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Essential functions are the core duties that are fundamental to the position and must be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Success Factors
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Demonstrates technical competence with laboratory equipment and hospital information systems; troubleshoots issues effectively.
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Communicates professionally and respectfully with patients, providers, and colleagues.
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Upholds patient and employee confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
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Adheres strictly to safety protocols, including proper handling of hazardous chemicals such as formalin and xylene.
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Maintains professional, respectful, and customer-focused interactions with patients, providers, and colleagues.
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Consistently follows all applicable policies, procedures, regulatory standards, and quality control requirements.
Education / Experience Qualifications
Required:
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Associates degree in a related science
- Current or eligible NYS Clinical Laboratory Technician or Histotechnician license.
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Strong communication skills, attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and ability to prioritize workload.
Preferred:
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Prior laboratory experience
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Familiarity with medical procedures and terminology
Physical Requirements
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Prolonged standing
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Manual dexterity and strong hand-eye coordination.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
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Regular exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues, and laboratory chemicals.
