Under minimal supervision, performs grossing and dissection of tissue specimens and assist pathologists in performing necropsy examinations.  This position will be responsible for the day-to-day organization and operation of the grossing lab. May assume supervisory duties during times of absent supervisor. 

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.  

• 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.    

• Meets turn-around-times established for testing reporting patient testing.  

• Conducts calibration of instruments and equipment in the laboratory as well as routine maintenance.   

• 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.  

• Assists in the preparation of frozen tissue sections (label, cutting and stain slides)   

• Performs tissue harvest for banking.  

• 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.  

• Completes annual competency assessment and is qualified evaluator.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

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/Abilities Required

• 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.  

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Surgical Pathology laboratory processes.   

• Knowledge of human anatomy, Pathology of disease and medical terminology.