Pathologists Assistant

Role Overview

Provides services in anatomic pathology under the direction of a qualified pathologist.

Responsibilities

• Performs gross processing of operating room and clinic specimens, including photography and preparation of related surgical pathology reports.
• Teaches junior residents proper grossing techniques, as described in the Pathology Department's standard gross pathology protocols.
• Assists in processes as needed to ensure timely completion.
• Implements all operating room tissue-based research protocols, including procurement of samples, processing of samples, and notification of investigators regarding sample readiness.
• Ensures that written research protocols are available and readily displayed in the operating room pathology laboratory.
• Reviews resident rotation schedules with the chief and/or senior residents.
• Answers questions from attending pathologists regarding the dictation and orientation of gross surgical specimens.
• Provides data for the monthly Surgical Pathology Quality Assurance reports.
• Maintains and updates the Department's gross specimen handbook.
• Performs administrative maintenance of surgical protocols, reports, and data, including the filing of reports, protocols, photographic and microscopic slides, assuring the completion of specimen coding and billing.
• Assures proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies, and cleanliness of the surgical pathology suite.
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with personal computers, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and statistics.

Work Environment

• Exposure to infection from disease-bearing specimens or patients.
• Exposure to risk of bloodborne/airborne disease.
• Possible exposure to odorous chemicals and specimens.
• Moderate noise environment.
• Subject to injury from sharps.
• Subject to many interruptions and stressful situations.