Pathologists' Assistant Surgical Grossing Room

Brigham and Women's Hospital; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital in Auckland seeks a Surgical Pathologist Assistant to perform specimen grossing, provide training to residents, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The role requires a Master's degree and PA(ASCP) certification. Join a diverse team committed to excellence in patient care and education.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required prior to hire.
• PA(ASCP) certification required within 1 year for recent graduates.
• Two or more years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform gross description and dissection of surgical pathology specimens.
• Provide formal instruction for pathology residents.
• Ensure compliance with labeling and regulatory standards.

Skills

Clinical Judgment

Instruction

Compliance

Education

Master's Degree from NAACLS accredited Pathologists' Assistant Training Program

PA(ASCP) certification

Job description

Acting Independently under Supervision of the Technical Supervisor, Surgical Pathology. Performs a wide variety of tasks related to processing human surgical pathology specimens, including:
- Gross Description and Dissection: Submitting appropriate diagnostic sections and, when necessary, reviewing cases at sign-out with a pathologist.
- Instruction and Training: Providing instruction to resident trainees and Pathologists' Assistant student interns on gross anatomy, appropriate specimen orientation, tissue selection, cryotomy, and staining for intraoperative diagnosis.
- Autopsy Suite Tasks: Handling prospecting and reporting responsibilities.
- Technical and Administrative Support: Assisting with laboratory tasks as required.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Specimen Grossing and Reporting:
- Perform gross description and dissection of a wide range of surgical pathology specimens.
- Correct and finalize gross description sections of pathology and autopsy reports.
- Review gross description and case materials with medical staff at sign-out.

2. Instruction and Training:
- Provide formal instruction for pathology residents in surgical pathology techniques.
- Orient and train medical residents, students, Pathologists' Assistant interns, and less advanced technicians in Gross Room procedures.

3. Clinical Judgment and Compliance:
- Exhibit clinical judgment when handling patient materials and reports.
- Maintain diagnostic viability of specimens and ensure compliance with labeling and regulatory standards.

4. Specimen Handling and Diagnostics:
- Perform diagnostic photography and x-rays for clinical studies.
- Prepare frozen sections and triage tissues for fixation or special studies.

5. Post-Mortem Examinations:
- Perform organ block prosection and sample tissue for histologic sections.
- Obtain biological specimens for further analysis during autopsies.

6. Autopsy Documentation and Protocols:
- Ensure completion of autopsy documents in accordance with hospital policies and state laws.

7. Research and Conference Support:
- Assist in tissue acquisition for clinical studies and research.
- Prepare case materials and photographic content for research, conferences, or special studies.

8. Data Entry and Laboratory Systems:
- Enter patient medical record information into the laboratory information system.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues such as specimen mislabeling or processing errors.

9. Equipment and Facility Management:
- Load and activate tissue processors as needed.
- Maintain and operate laboratory equipment, including cryostat and staining devices.

10. Rotational Coverage:
- Provide Saturday coverage for specimen grossing and Tissue Bank Pathologists' Assistant tasks, as necessary.

11. Safety and Compliance:
- Maintain a clean and organized work area, ensuring adherence to safety regulations.
- Follow Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals and hospital policies.

Miscellaneous Duties:
- Actively participate in resident teaching conferences.
- Support frozen section labs by selecting, sectioning, and staining tissue for immediate review by pathologists.
- Perform any other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

- Master's Degree from NAACLS accredited and AAPA approved Pathologists' Assistant Training Program required prior to date of hire.

- PA(ASCP) certification required. Recent graduates must obtain PA(ASCP) certification within 1 calendar year from date of training program completion.

- Two or more years of experience highly desired with preference in academic setting.

. *Current MGB employees or former employees (separated from the MGB organization for less than 1 year) are not eligible for the sign on bonus.

Additional Job Description

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.