Pathologist Assistant I

Incyte Pathology; Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Incyte Pathology in Washington state seeks a Pathology Assistant to describe gross features of surgical specimens, dissect and prepare tissue for histology, and assist pathologists in autopsies when needed.

Requires BS, NAACLS PA program graduate and ASCP certification; 1+ year experience preferred. Strong communication, professionalism, and the ability to work under pressure are essential. MS degree is a plus.

Qualifications

• BS degree required; MS preferred
• Graduate of NAACLS accredited PA Program and ASCP certification
• Maintain ASCP certification
• 1+ year experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Performs gross examination and dictation of surgical specimens
• Photographs gross specimens for teaching and reports
• Keeps workspace clean and free of contamination
• Assists Pathologist in frozen sections
• Troubleshoots cryostat prep and staining issues
• Process fresh lymph nodes including touch preps
• Open uterus, bowel, ovary, etc. for OR consultation and present findings
• Supports cryostat maintenance
• Confers with attending pathologist on techniques to be used
• Ensures compliance with CLIA and CAP regulations
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Skills

Medical terminology

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Independent work

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Training others

Adaptability

Leadership coordination

MS Office

Professionalism

Education

BS Degree

MS Degree preferred

NAACLS PA Program graduate

ASCP certification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Describes gross anatomic features of routine, uncomplicated, and complicated surgical specimens, ensuring all lesions, markings and sutures are mentioned. Dissects surgical specimens and prepares tissue for histologic processing. Assists Pathologists in performing autopsies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs gross examination and dictation of surgical specimens
• Photographs all appropriate gross specimens for teaching purposes and patient reports
• Keeps paperwork, instruments and workspace clean, free of blood or other potential contaminating or infectious materials
• Assists Pathologist in frozen sections
• Ability to troubleshoot and take corrective actions for problems with frozen section preparation and staining, or problems with the cryostat
• Ability to process a fresh lymph node, including touch preps, representative sections in RPMI
• Ability to open a uterus, bowel, ovary, etc. submitted for OR consultation and present findings to Pathologist
• Supports the maintenance of the cryostat as required
• Confers with the attending pathologist(s) to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of examination (e.g. cultures smears; histochemical, immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral, etc), and notifying all personnel directly involved
• Ensures compliance with all local, federal, CLIA and CAP regulations
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Location

West side - Tukwila, WA, Renton, WA, and Bellevue, WA area.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications

• BS Degree
• MS Degree preferred
• Graduate of an NAACLS accredited PA Program and pass the ASCP certification exam
• Maintain ASCP certification
• 1+ year experience preferred

*Exceptions made for OJT certified Pathologist Assistants

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Medical terminology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate the ability to perform effectively under pressure
• Must be able to work independently
• Flexible and committed to the team concept
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Willing to instruct and train other staff members
• Highly adaptable, with the ability to prioritize and focus
• Ability to effectively work with leadership and staff at all levels of the organization
• Basic PC skills including MS Office, and the ability to learn new software
• Maintains professionalism in all facets of the laboratory environment

Equal Employment Opportunity statement

Incyte Pathology provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability or handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or honorably discharged veteran status or protected genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.