Pathology Assistant

Job Summary

Performs and assists in performance of surgical and necropsy examinations. Lays out instruments, prepares remains and performs initial preparation of tissues for study. Handles and maintains accurate identification of various specimens; maintains condition of equipment and clean work area.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assists in preparation and performance of post-mortem examinations. Performs surgical specimen examinations, dissection, gross description and dictation. Dictates description of procedure. Photographs body, organs, and other specimens; maintains photographic index. Arranges and coordinates patients chart and other pertinent data for review with Pathologist. Assists in SNOP coding of surgical and necropsy diagnosis and specimens; helps maintain files of SNOP codes.
• Ensures proper authorization and release of body. Ascertains proper and legal authorization for necropsy; in case of error or question, initiates procedure to obtain proper authorization. Assures proper restoration of body for acceptable release to funeral director; indicates any biohazards such as contagious diseases or radioactive implants which may be present.
• Prepares and stores tissue. Assists with processing, assessing, and identification of same; obtains specimens for analysis.
• Maintains clean, orderly work area and ensures proper maintenance of instruments and equipment. Orders adequate inventory of supplies, materials and equipment.
• Instructs and trains assigned personnel, e.g., medical students, medical technicians and technologists, etc., in designated areas of expertise.
  

Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum one (1) year pathology assistant experience.
  

Education

• Associates degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology; or 60 semester hours to include 24 semester hours and laboratory training following CLIA requirements.
  

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A
  

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated analytic and diagnostic reasoning skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in word processing, spreadsheet, and database PC applications.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Pathologists Assistant (PA) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• Minimum six (6) months experience under direct training of certified pathologist.
• Completion of training and experience in histology.
• Preparing histological tissue samples and slides.