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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50615444 |
Description Activated On: 5/27/2026 11:38:03 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This temporary position provides assistance and maintenance support to the Pathology and Histology groups. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. I) Receiving animals and specimens A) Interview submitters in person or on the phone to obtain purpose of submission, signalment, history, owner and veterinarian information including reporting and billing information, and other information pertinent to the submission. Ensure appropriate paperwork is complete and legible. Provide submitters with necessary forms, documents and instructions. B) Accession specimens using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), scan paperwork, make appropriate logbook entries, label specimens, and prepare specimens and paperwork for evaluation, sampling and distribution. II) Directly assisting pathologists A) Prepare carcasses and other specimens for evaluation and sampling by a pathologist, including positioning and initial “breakdown” of carcasses, and provision of appropriate equipment, instruments and containers for sampling, testing and storage. B) On direction by a diagnostician, collect tissues and prepare specimens for special examination according to SOPs III) Processing materials A) Collect, package, label and distribute specimens for testing with appropriate paperwork. Enter test requests into LIMS. B) Preserve, package and ship specimens to PADLS and referral laboratories for testing. C) Preserve and store specimens for future use. D) Assure that complete and accurate data regarding specimens and testing are maintained in LIMS IV) Receive, take histories, accession and collect and process appropriate samples for CWD and scrapie V) Laboratory sanitation and maintenance A) Follow maintenance SOPs and update maintenance logs. B) Maintain the mammalian BSL-2 and BSL-3 autopsy suites, avian autopsy room, histology trim room, office alcove, locker rooms, coolers, dock, truck wash, storage and other areas in the custody of the pathology section in clean, sanitary and orderly condition. C) Clean and disinfect tables, countertops, foot baths, floors, walls, sinks, storage areas, etc. D) Clean, disinfect and maintain instruments, tools and equipment, including biological and fume hoods, scales, microscopes and the centrifuge. E) Ensure scissors, knives, saw blades and other cutting tools are sharp and safe to use F) Ensure saws, hoists and coolers are in safe and working order. (see X) G) Collect and launder soiled garments. H) Remove carcasses, tissues and other waste products and dispose of them properly. (see VI) VI) Disposal of wastes A) Assist with appropriate disposal of the various forms of waste generated in the BSL-2 (carcasses, tissues, formalin and other chemicals, drugs, sharps, etc.). Be familiar with waste disposal SOPs. B) Arrange for disposal of carcasses and other regulated waste as needed by contacting renderers, medical waste haulers or other carriers. C) Use saws, cutters and lifting equipment to dismember animal carcasses for disposal when necessary. D) Lift and manipulate 50 pounds and move 55 gallon drums with contents by the use of carts and dollies. VII) Maintain adequate stocks of consumable supplies in all relevant areas (autopsy areas, trim room, parasitology/avian, dock, laundry, storage closets, etc.). VIII) Assist the histology laboratory technician with duties including slide and block filing, embedding tissues in paraffin, and changing reagents in the processor IX) Safety A) Read, understand and follow safety SOPs pertinent to all activities related to this position description. B) Always use mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) at minimum. C) Do not use unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment. D) Do not use equipment or perform duties in an unsafe manner. E) Immediately inform supervisor of faulty equipment or unsafe conditions. X) Quality Assurance and Quality Control A) The employee is responsible for duties related to the laboratory's quality system. The quality system includes all aspects of compliance with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians' Requirements for Laboratory Accreditation. B) Conduct work according to SOPs and document results accordingly. C) Observe appropriate aspects of quality control and quality assurance. D) Maintain records and logbooks. XI) Miscellaneous duties and responsibilities A) In the case of a high consequence disease outbreak, employees who have susceptible species at the property where they reside, can be required to isolate themselves from interaction with susceptible species at home or venues outside of their work duties for a specified period as determined by best current scientific and departmental guidelines. B) Perform other work related to this class as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. -Identify specimens for designated routine procedures and process them appropriately without further instruction. -Respond to ordinary and reasonable requests for temporary assistance from other groups without specific supervisory approval. -Respond to requests for urgent work. If overtime is needed approval must be obtained from the supervisor in advance. - Select and preserve specimens for possible additional testing without further direction from management. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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