Pathologist Assistant 2- Anatomic Pathology

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**Pathologist Assistant positions are available depending on experience and education:**

General Description: Under direct supervision performs gross descriptions of simple or limited specimens. Assists during Autopsies. Prepares frozen section slides. May be required to perform routine histology tasks as well.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Follows authorized technical procedures when performing patient testing.
• Meets turn-around-times established for testing and reporting patient results
• Receives specimens into laboratory using appropriate patient identifier and labeling requirements and receives them into the electronic medical record including registration of specimens from outpatients.
• Conducts calibration of instruments and equipment in the laboratory as well as routine maintenance.
• Labels tissue cassettes using block control sheets
• Assists in the preparation of frozen tissue sections (label, cutting and stain slides)
• Performs gross descriptions of simple and limited pathology specimens as authorized.
• Prepares patients for evisceration for post-anatomical diagnosis during autopsy
• Works on call for Autopsies.
• Photographs specimens for documentation and conference preparation.
• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate us of PPE.
• Assumes responsibility of own professional development.
• Completes annual competency assessment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LEVEL 3:

• Maintains appropriate documents for regulatory requirements.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the hospital in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Participates in laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation and performance improvement.
• Ensures surgical specimens of legal importance are properly identified and maintained.
• Performs examination, gross description and dissection of simple and complex organ and tissue specimens as well as appropriate coding of surgical specimens.
• May be principal trainer for new staff.
• Performs postmortem exams including review of the medical chart, review of autopsy consent for required elements and restrictions imposed by next of kin, obtaining biological specimens, photography, evisceration, dissection, dictation and preparing the body.
• Performs necropsy dissections, trimming gross necropsy tissue for microscopic studies.
• Gathers results of postmortem studies for the preparation necropsy reporting.
• Works on call for Autopsies.
• Responsible for training and supervision of Pathology technicians and Pathology residents during surgical and/or autopsy rotation.
• Photographs specimens for surgical specimen and necropsy documentation and conference preparation.
• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate us of PPE. Assumes responsibility of own professional development and mentors others.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 2):

Education: A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university PA(ASCP)

Experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience including 1 year of grossing experience required.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Certified by the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) as a Pathologists' Assistant (PA) or must be Board eligible for certification by ASCP as a PA, Must obtain licensure within one year of hire.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 3):

Education: Bachelor's Degree and completion of CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, formerly NCCLS, National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards) accredited program required. "Grandfather" PA(ASCP) is also acceptable with bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience.

Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience required.

Certification/Licensure: ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) as a Pathologists' Assistant (PA) required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have the skills to perform required laboratory testing.
• Must be able to work as part of a team and follow instructions.
• Must be able to consistently and dependably report to work as scheduled.
• Must be able to maintain legible, accurate and organized records.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and exercise sound judgment.
• Must be able to multi-task and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Must possess ability to understand various operations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work and communicate with co-workers and other caregivers, and meet their needs in a professional, polite, courteous, compassionate and cooperative manner.
• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards establishing priorities and completing assignments.
• Ability to assist in the pre-analytical phase for specimen procurement, identification and proper specimen handling.
• Performs troubleshooting and technical problem solving.
• Ability to assess and verify the validity of patient test results, including identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results.
• Core knowledge and understanding of normal laboratory processes.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology.

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