Pathologist Assistant Weekend Shift

bannerhealth; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health is seeking a Pathologist Assistant to join our teaching team in Tucson on a weekend schedule. The PA will gross specimens such as Breast, Uterus, Colon and simple biopsies, while preparing specimen bags for histology processing.

The role emphasizes mentorship and collaboration in a high-volume environment. Onboarding runs Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM for one week; weekend hours are 4–8 on Saturdays with potential Sunday coverage.

Qualifications

• Requires B.S. degree or higher with minimum science credits met as required by CAP; completion of a NAACLS approved Pathologists' Assistant program.
• ASCP certification preferred; eligibility considered for employment and on-call flexibility may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assists in grossing surgical specimens of varying complexity.
• Provides education and instruction for residents, fellows and medical students.
• Assists with frozen sections and intra-operative consultations as needed.
• Supports tissue selection and tumor banking or other research projects as requested.

Skills

ASCP Certification

Flexibility

Teaching/mentoring

Education

B.S. degree or higher

NAACLS Pathologists' Assistant program

Job description

Primary City/State: Tucson, Arizona

Department Name: Banner Staffing Services-AZ

Work Shift: Day

Job Category: Clinical Care

Find your path in health care. We want to change the lives of those in our care – and the people who choose to take on this challenge. If you are ready to change lives, we want to hear from you.

Tucson is set in a Sonoran Desert valley surrounded by five mountain ranges. Boasting an average 350 sunny days a year and warm dry air, the climate is ideal for year-round outdoor recreation. Tucson offers one-of-a-kind experiences for those interested in outdoor adventure and nature, heritage and culture, arts and attractions, golf and original Southwest-inspired dining.

We are seeking anASCP Certified Pathologist Assistantwith aminimum of 2 years of experienceto join our team in a weekend role. The Pathology Assistant will be responsible for grossing specimens including Breast, Uterus, Colon, Amputations, and simple Biopsies, as well as preparing specimen bags for courier pick-up for histology processing. As ateaching facility, we encounter a higher volume of complex and challenging cases, making prior hands-on experience essential.

Our Pathologist Assistant team ishardworking, collaborative, and genuinely supportive— a group where knowledge-sharing and mentorship are part of the everyday culture, ensuring no team member ever feels alone in their work. Beyond the lab, the team enjoys a strong sense of camaraderie, regularly connecting through social activities outside of work, making this not just a great professional opportunity but a welcoming community to be a part of.

Schedule:Saturday hours are flexible and determined by Friday specimen volume, ranging from 4 to 8 hours (approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM); Sunday availability may be considered as an alternative, and we are happy to accommodate vacation schedules.

Training Schedule:Onboarding and training will take place Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM for one week.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Pathologist Assistant (PA) is a highly trained, allied health professional who assists Attending Pathologists under direct or indirect supervision. In addition to surgical dissection, the PA provides comprehensive training to medical residents and medical students. An ability to resolve discrepancies and to work with others in a high-volume setting is critical. Duties will include the understanding and inclusion of pertinent clinical history, description of gross anatomic features, prioritizing to expedite cases to maintain a positive workflow.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Assists in the preparation, photography, dictation and grossing of surgical specimen dissections of all complexity levels from routine to multiple part cancer resections.
• Provides education and instruction for Pathology Residents, Fellows and medical students regarding proper gross examination and dissection of surgical pathology specimens. This includes gross photography techniques, selection of appropriate tissue sections for microscopic examination and additional studies, the dictation of complete and pertinent descriptions of gross findings.
• Assists with frozen section specimens and intra-operative consultations as needed, as well as providing guidance to Pathology Residents and Fellows.
• Assists in providing immediate consultation for renal biopsy adequacy evaluation in the clinical setting and may perform proper preparation of tissue for subsequent diagnosis by the Pathologist.
• Provides support for tissue selection and consultation on specimens for tumor banking or other research projects as requested.
• Provides feedback to surgical pathology assistants and support staff as needed. Exhibits problem solving skills of a highly complex nature, assures proper instrument maintenance, specimen photography, and troubleshooting according to guidelines established by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires B.S. degree or higher with minimum science credits met as required by College of American Pathologists (CAP). Completion of a National Accrediting Agency Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) approved Pathologists' Assistant program.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding specimens and the findings associated with the laboratory functions. Must be able to maintain good rapport with departmental personnel and be able to work flexible hours (e.g., evenings and weekends on-call as determined by departmental needs).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Certification or eligible for certification with certification attained within first year of employment.
• Three to five years of experience working in a gross room.
• Experience with teaching in an academic setting or a resident training program.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement:

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.