Pathologist Assistant

Cape Fear Valley Health; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Fear Valley Health is seeking a Pathologists' Assistant to support surgical pathology operations. The role involves assisting pathologists with dissections, dictations, tissue handling, and intraoperative evaluations, while ensuring data integrity and patient confidentiality.

The position requires a NAACLS-accredited PA program, Bachelor's degree, and certification (ASCP or equivalent). Clinical responsibilities include specimen processing, QA, and training of staff and students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• NAACLS-accredited Pathologists' Assistant program completed within last 5 years.
• ASCP or equivalent certification as Pathologist Assistant.
• Must meet CLIA rules for grandfathered individuals.

Responsibilities

• Reviews Surgical Pathology orders to obtain adequate history and additional information when necessary.
• Performs surgical dissections and dictations; ensures proper tissue collection and data for special studies.
• Selects tissue and ensures proper fixation and transport for special studies (e.g., flow cytometry).
• Prepares tissue for frozen section microscopy and intraoperative evaluation.
• Photographs specimens as designated by the pathologist.
• Provides guidance for questions from Prep Tech/Histotech/Cytotech regarding specimen acceptability or results.
• Reviews procedure manuals and stays current with procedural changes.
• Completes work within acceptable time limits and operates tissue processors.
• Observes patient confidentiality and safety procedures.
• Assists in creating and maintaining anatomic pathology procedures and promotes cross-department communication.
• Trains students and new employees as assigned; contributes to quality improvement in surgical pathology.
• Follows Corporate Compliance Program and policies; reports discrepancies.

Education

Bachelor's degree

NAACLS accredited Pathologists' Assistant program (within last 5 years)

ASCP or equivalent certification as a Pathologist Assistant

CLIA grandfathered compliance

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for gross dictation and gross examination of tissue specimens, functioning independently under the direction of a Pathologist.

Job Relationships

Reports to: Lab Central/AP Manager.

Oversight Functions

No oversight

Essential Functions

Essential functions are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job's purpose and objectives. Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Functions may be delegated with oversight.

Job Responsibilities

• Reviews Surgical Pathology orders to assure adequate history and obtains additional information when necessary.
• Performs surgical dissections and dictations as required. Ensures proper collection of tissues and data maintenance for special studies, techniques
• Selects tissue and assures proper fixation and transport of specimens for special studies (e.g., flow cytometry).
• Prepares tissue for frozen section microscopy and intraoperative evaluation.
• Photograph specimens as designated by pathologist
• Provides direction and guidance for questions and or problems referred by the Prep Tech, Histotech, or Cytotech concerning specimen acceptability, unusual or discrepant results and instrument or method problems.
• Review procedure manuals and stay current with procedural changes that have occurred
• Completes work consistently within acceptable time limit
• Demonstrates the ability to load and operate the tissue processors.
• Observes professional discretion with patient information.
• Exercise all laboratory safety precautions and adhere to lab procedures as stated in procedure manuals.
• Assists in creating and maintaining anatomic pathology procedures
• Promotes a positive work environment for the free flow of ideas and communication between coworkers and network departments
• Demonstrates knowledge of surgical and cytology specimen collection and fixation requirements, and rejects specimens when applicable.
• Demonstrates the ability to train students and new employees as assigned
• Provides input to pathology leadership and assists with quality improvement projects related to surgical pathology
• Become familiar with and abides by the Corporate Compliance Program and all corporate policies.
• Follows established procedures for histology quality control, CAP, JCAHO, other regulatory agencies and reports discrepancies to the Histology Technical Specialist.
• Troubleshoots equipment, reagents, or procedural technique when problems occur. Notifies the Histology Technical Specialist if unable to solve the problem.
• Complies with established laboratory and hospital policies for universal precautions and safety procedures. (When handling blood and/or body fluids, universal precaution procedures will be followed in order to minimize exposure to infectious diseases. Safety policies and procedures will be followed when using chemicals.)
• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety and specific job-related hazards.
• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
• Supports the hospital's mission, policies and procedures through attendance and participation at committee meetings, if applicable.
• Reports to work on time as scheduled
• Maintains work area-cleans bench, restocks supplies notifies Histology Technical Specialist of low stock.
• Performs work of equal skill and responsibility as directed. May also perform work of a lesser responsibility when the workload of the department so requires.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree
• Completion of a NAACLS accredited Pathologists' Assistant program within the last 5 years.
• ASCP or equivalent certification as a Pathologist Assistant
• OR
• Must meet CLIA rules for grandfathered individuals.

Requirements

• Two years' experience as a Pathologist Assistant preferred
• Pathologist Assistant students near completion of their training program are welcome to apply.
• Must maintain appropriate continuing education for certification/licensure to increase basic knowledge.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: (Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.)

• Light lifting up to 50 pounds, general motion including bending, squatting, reaching, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Manual dexterity: reaching, grasping, handling
• Ability to speak plainly.
• Near visual acuity, ability to discern colors, depth perception, reading/close-up work
• May involve skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.
• Hazards: handling of biological materials, blood borne pathogens

This job description is not intended to be completely comprehensive. It is merely an overview of the position.

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