Pathology Technician Assistant

Essential Responsibilities

• A. Receives, transports, verifies identification, logs, and prepares gross surgical and cytology specimens received in pathology:
  • May be required to pick up and transport all pathology specimens from laboratory and surgery, verifying specimen identification. Resolves discrepancies.
  • Lables specimens, requisitions, cassettes with surgical accession number, legibly and accurately.
  • Enters accession number, patient and specimen identifiers into computer database.
  • Processes, prepares and sends specimens to outside laboratory; accurately completes all associated paperwork.
  • Processes, prepares and distributes intra-facility consultations.
  • Performs tissue sections according to written policies and procedures.
• B. Assists pathologist with gross examination:
  • Sets up necessary equipment, supplies and specimens for gross examination.
  • Stores specimens after examination.
  • Disinfects area/ instruments including cryostat.
  • May assist pathologists preparing fetal/infant cadavers and associated paperwork for delivery to fetal pathologists.
• C. Maintains wet tissue storage:
  • Stores, rotates and disposes of all wet tissues in accordance with departmental procedures. Disinfects and maintains specimen storage cabinets.
  • Disposes of tissues, decanting formaldehyde per department protocol and following all safety precautions.
• D. Assists other staff, as directed, and assists with clerical duties:
  • Receives slides from Regional Lab and distributes slides to pathologist. Verifies accuracy of shipment.
  • Files, including slides.
  • Assists with stocking supplies and proper utilization of supplies.
  • Mailing and distribution of report.
  • Answering the telephone and responding to voicemail messages in a timely manner.
  • According to established facility protocol, conducts daily morgue census; verifies if autopsy is required; and collects permit chart, etc. as assigned.
• E. Properly labels, stores, handles, and disposes reagents and hazardous wastes according to local, State and Federal regulations.
• G. May be assigned to train staff in all non-grossing duties.

Compliance Accountability

• Grade: 430
• Current pathology experience including assisting in receipt and processing surgical specimens.
• Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred.
• Good working knowledge of basic clinical laboratory and pathology terminology.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills necessary to work under time constraints.
• Ability to keep detailed records.
• Excellent attendance. Strong customer focus. Excellent interpersonal skills in working with customers, clinicians & coworkers.
• Basic computer keyboard skills & word processing of 20 wpm.
• Ability to function according to established policies and procedures under the general supervision, and, as applicable, direct supervision of a pathologist.
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language.

Qualifications

• N/A
• N/A
• Current pathology technical assistant experience preferred. Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred.