Histotechnologist / Grossing Tech

Rhonda Lavender

Locust Grove, Georgia

425-***-**** ******.**@*******.***

Education:

**** & 2012 Phoenix College, Tempe, AZ (Histology Certificate) 2008 Lake Tahoe Community College, South Lake Tahoe, CA (Phlebotomy Certificate) 1988-1991 University of Alaska SE, Juneau, AK

1980-1982 Lathrop High School, Fairbanks, AK

1979 Lawrence Central High School, Lawrence, IN

Participate in Adopt a Family at Christmas each year with St. Vincent De Paul Mentor with Big Brother Big Sister

Phlebotomist for Viomics of Arizona. Their mission is to discover, develop and deliver paradigm changing cancer detection technologies to enable early intervention that cures previously deadly cancers. Owned and operated Four very successful businesses in Alaska and Nevada during 1999-2007. Employment:

July 2016 - August 2017 (3rd Shift).

LabCorp of America, James Tower, Seattle, WA

Grossing Tech and Histotechnologist for Anatomical Pathology Gross in surgical specimens to process for microscopic slide preparation as well as all duties listed in previous Labs in my resume.

Left due to family emergency. Relocated to Indiana to care for my sister who was ill. She passed 48 hours after I got there. I took an extended break due to her death. I'm now returning to work and available as of August 2018. May 2014 – July 2016 (Company Wide Lay Off)

SNBL USA Everett, Everett WA (Histotechnologist II) In this GLP Laboratory, we Process Animal Tissue to microscopic slide for Pathologist review and Report on Pharmaceutical Test Articles to client

• Perform Embedding of processed tissues to paraffin block

• Perform Microtomy of paraffin blocks to slide at 4 microns. Stain slides with H&E Stain, Coverslip and send to QC for Review

• Perform QC and Block match on all H&E Slides for required elements prior to Pathologist review. Review for sectioning, identifying artifacts, stain quality and to determine if a recut or retrim was necessary

• Track and meet deadlines for multiple studies at a time

• Signed off as Trainer on H&E Staining, Cryostat Frozen Sectioning, and Robotic Coverslipper

• Order, receive, stock necessary supplies. Monthly Expiration check of glass ware and chemicals

• Maintain equipment, perform repair, trouble shoot and solve problems as necessary

• Review, revise, and update SOPs and Forms as necessary

• Recipient of the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Service and Performance

• Active Member of the Employee Health and Safety Committee as well as the Employee Activity Committee

October 2013 – May 2014

Cellnetix Laboratory & Pathology, Seattle WA (Histotechnologist I)

• Load and unload tissue processors

• Embedding tissue including cell blocks

• Cutting H&E slides, with levels, special stains, unstained, and IHC, print work lists

• ETM’s average 280-340 per shift depending on tissue types, fixation, levels, etc, with slide quality of 3.68 on scale of 1-4. (1 low, 4 high)

• Load slides on stainer and file blocks

• Clean and restock work station

• Assist coworkers when needed

• Promote team building and positive energy amongst coworkers

• Fire Safety and Emergency Response team member

• Graveyard shift (12am – 8:30 am, usually with an hour overtime) January 2010 – July 2013 (relocated to WA)

International Genomics Consortium, Phoenix AZ (Pathology Coordinator / Histologist)

• Set up and train Pathologists across the United States to read cases using Spectrum and our Direct Data Entry (DDE) software.

• Scan and upload slides into ScanScope for electronic distribution to Pathologists

• Report metrics on returned cases for transfer to Molecular for DNA and RNA extraction

• Research and report any diagnosis discrepancies to Director of Clinical Outreach for follow-up with the TSS

• Point of contact for all Pathologists who have questions or need training

• Approve all Pathologists invoices for work performed

• Organize and set up conference calls for EPC utilizing WebScope

• De-identify and re-identify all qualified cases for EPC, scan, upload and assign to data groups

• Trouble shoot and resolve any issue with any case

• Assign 2nd Opinions and 10% of all cases for QC

• Histology, processing cancer tumors of all tissue types, cut and stain frozen tissue

• Work with liquid nitrogen and dry ice to protect sample from thawing

• Develop, follow and update SOP’s as changes are made

• Lab Coat orders and inventory for all lab employees, negotiating contract, invoicing and weekly service supervision with the contracted company

• Follow all CLIA and OSHA regulations

• Equipment maintenance, trouble shoot error codes, inventory of lab supplies

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

January 2009 – September 2009

Casa Grande Regional Medical Center, Casa Grande, AZ (Pathology Assisting/Histo Tech 2) Pathology Assisting

• Describes gross anatomic features of Processing Specimens (as defined by CAP), sections the specimen according to specific protocols, and submits the entire specimen for histologic preparation.

• Photomicrographs area of interest of specimens to be included on final report and performs a Quality Control (QC) function during the image capture process.

• Assists in the identification and research of discrepancy cases to determine the origin of variance.

• Responsible for helping pathologists, adjunct pathologists, and remote pathologists respond to Quality Assurance audits, etc.

• Preserves and processes gross specimens and sets up and photos documentation of surgical specimens.

• Organizes slides, data, generating tables, and assists with any other requests.

• Prepares cases to be grossed-in by logging in surgical pathology specimens in the tissue laboratory, assigning accession numbers, checking tissue-examination forms and specimens for completeness and accuracy, and labeling specimen cassettes with accession numbers by differentiation according to varied specimen requirements.

• Performs accurate gross description and dissection of surgical specimens according to the guidelines established by the Anatomic Pathology Medical Director for a Gross Technician.

• Demonstrates the ability to accurately prioritize and triage specimens, handles and disposes of specimens and chemical waste based on the laboratory’s procedural manual, and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies.

• Aides in discrepancy resolution.

• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information concerning patients, physicians, employees, clients, vendors, and the company.

• Performs Quality Control and Quality Assurance tests as required. Maintains all necessary documentation and current logs.

• Reports all concerns of test quality and/or patient or employee safety to a Supervisor or Safety Officer.

• Has a good understanding and working knowledge of Laboratory Information Systems.

• Assists as needed to perform other related duties and special projects as required. Histo Tech 11

• Perform routine and non-routine activities involved in the preparation of slides for microscopic evaluation by pathologist(s), according to policies and procedures.

• Duties and tasks are standardized.

• Perform maintenance and cleaning of equipment and troubleshoot minor equipment failures. Document remedial actions such as repairs or reported tests.

• Adhere to laboratory's quality control policies and document all quality control activities.

• Ensure all corporate safety, quality control and quality assurance standards are met.

• Ensure compliance with all local, federal, CLIA and CAP regulations.

• Maintain a clean and well-organized work area.

• Resolves routine questions and problems, refers more complex issues to higher levels.

• Tissue disposal and hazardous waste removal as scheduled Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

November 2007 – September 2008

Barton Memorial Hospital, South Lake Tahoe, CA (Document Processing Tech)

• One year contract with HIM Department, to scan medical records into FileCD for electronic storage

• Review each chart for proper organization, completion, signatures, and resolve any issue found

• Scan each chart electronically into FileCD for electronic storage prior to shipping records of site for destruction at a later date

January 2002 – August 2007

Tropical Tan & Tone, Elko, Nevada (Owner / Operator)

• Sales of services and products

• Schedule appointments

• Schedule employees

• Regular maintenance on equipment

• Smart Tan Certified

• Banking, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, sales tax

• Order supplies, inventory

• Worked 7 days a week, 15 hours a day

1995 – 2001

Southeast Alaska Pathology, Juneau, Alaska (Corporate Officer / Office Manager)

• Pathology Assisting, gross in surgical specimens with gross dictation

• Assist with autopsies

• Translate gross dictation into pathology report

• Information verification for accuracy

• Accession cases, cassettes, specimen jars, slides

• Process, embed, cut and stain slides

• Ship cases for 2nd opinion to lower 48

• Oversee all aspects of lab and supervise 5 employees

• Accounts receivables, billing, ICD-9, CPT, insurance claims, banking

• Inventory

• Schedule of employees

• Actively sought out new accounts locally and within surrounding villages

•

Contact this candidate