Pathologist Assistant - Staff Icons

Position Summary :
Receives and examines surgical specimens for further diagnosis, autopsy prosecution and photography. Prepares specimens for fixation and embedding. Performs frozen section procedures and participates in a variety of departmental activities and services, including patient services, research, teaching and technical procedure development.

Responsibilities :

• Accessioning of surgical specimens in the laboratory information system (LIS).
  • Verify patient information on specimen requisition is complete.
  • Ensure specimen label and requisition are congruent.
  • Accession, label, and process specimens.
  • Triage cases to appropriate area for examination.
  • Follow laboratory procedures for handling incorrectly submitted specimens and specimens with incomplete information.
  • Ensure specimens correlate to hard copy and laboratory information system
  • Note problems with specimen reception in the laboratory information
• Perform processing and grossing of surgical specimens, as defined by CAP and CLIA 88, list A, B

and C, for anatomic pathology.

• Ensure the specimen label and requisitions are congruent.
• Dictate patient demographics and clinical history.
• Describe gross anatomic features of the specimen on a biopsy service.
• Gross surgical cases as specified in List A, B and C of the CLIA regulations
• Place specimen sample(s) into appropriately labeled cassettes.
• Perform frozen section microtomy and staining

• Performs quality control and quality assurance.
  • Confirm surgical accession number on requisition, containers and cassettes.
  • Check cassettes with daily log sheets
  • Maintain Q\A monitor (specimen discrepancy log))
• Maintains gross room equipment, supply inventory, specimen storage and disposal, and
• general cleanliness of the laboratory.
  • Ensure an adequate stock of supplies, reagents and solutions for the laboratory
  • Ensure cleanliness of laboratory areas, instrument and equipment according to CAP checklists.
  • Ensure the proper disposal techniques for specimens, body fluids, other specimen waste and used reagents.
• Performs routine and complex autopsies.
  • Validate consent for autopsy; verify patient name and restrictions prior to autopsy
  • Respect religious convictions of patient and family
  • Prepare body for external examination
  • Demonstrate proficiency of Letulle, Ghon, Rokitansky and Virchow technique
  • Ascertain special studies as requested
  • Collaborate with various research efforts.
  • Prepare body for funeral home
  • Notify funeral home autopsy completion.
  • Assigns tasks to gross room technical staff.
• Assists with duties related to surgical pathology and autopsy services.
  • Write reviews and revise and implement standard operational procedures.
  • Evaluate and recommend new methods, procedures and equipment and follow through the implementation.
  • Maintain training and competency assessment records
  • Assure sections are prepared for inspections by regulatory agencies.
  • Meet deadlines for competency and regulatory assignments.
  • Coordinate multiple activities and takes responsibility for finishing assigned duties, assisting others when needed.

Position Qualifications :

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Pathologist Assistant Studies
• Minimum Experience: 0-1 year of experience as a certified Pathologist Assistant in an anatomic pathology laboratory
• Req. Certification/Licensure: ASCP / AAPA Pathologist Assistant certification or must be ASCP/AAPA
• Pathologist Assistant certified within 6 months of hire date.
• Preferred Education: Masters' Degree in Pathologist Assistant Studies
• Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience preferred
• Computer abilities essential; has ability to operate photographic equipment Pathology
• Software: LIS, EPIC / Beaker preferred