Pathologist's Assistant

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers Cancer Institute seeks a Pathologist’s Assistant to lead grossing and dissection of surgical tissue specimens for the Biospecimen Repository and Histopathology Service Shared Resource. You will coordinate tissue banking activities in the operating room and gross room under board-certified Pathologist supervision.

The role supports intraoperative frozen section coverage, prepares compliant tissue sets, and ensures accurate data entry and reporting in the tissue retrieval database,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology or a related field.
• Graduate from an ASCP Pathologists' Assistant program, certification within first year.
• Strong communication skills and ability to document clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead grossing of surgical tissue specimens for biospecimen repository and research.
• Coordinate tissue retrieval with tissue technicians and study coordinators.
• Perform macroscopic examination and dissection of specimens and intraoperative frozen section support.
• Maintain data integrity in tissue retrieval database and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Strong communication

Computer literacy

Tissue handling

Education

Master’s degree in biology

ASCP Pathologists’ Assistant program

Tools

Epic Beaker

LIS platforms

Job description

Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department

Department CINJ - Biospecimen Collection

Overview

RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE VISION , MISSION , AND CORE VALUES :

VISION :

Through our science, our evidence-based actions, our openness, and our respect for those we serve, we will advance cancer-focused research worldwide and reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area. By engaging with and empowering our exceptionally diverse populations, and addressing their questions and fears, we will engender hope for cancer patients and their families and play a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our communities by gaining and protecting their trust and providing access to the outstanding oncology care each person deserves.

MISSION :

Our mission is to accelerate scientific discovery focused on understanding cancer, innovating cancer treatment, and improving cancer prevention; to provide outstanding, novel, and compassionate patient care; to provide evidence-based and culturally informed education to physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, and the community; and to achieve cancer health equity in our state through outreach to and engagement of our extraordinarily diverse communities.

CORE VALUES :

Curiosity and Discovery: encouraging an environment of continuous inquiry, creativity, and innovation to generate new knowledge

Integrity: earning the trust of those we serve and each other through honesty, transparency, accountability, and continuous reflection

Collaboration: approaching all opportunities with an understanding that together we are better and can achieve more; promoting and maintaining an environment of teamwork and shared knowledge

Respect and Caring: consistently demonstrating caring, compassion, and respect through our words and actions
Perseverance: maintaining an unwavering commitment to our mission; embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and creating and recreating the path to achieve our goals

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Pathologist’s Assistant within the Biospecimen Repository and Histopathology Service at the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
The Pathologist’s Assistant acts as the lead pathologist assistant in support of the research goals and objectives of the Biospecimen Repository and Histopathology Service Shared Resource, as specified by the NIH -National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant ( CCSG ) awarded to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The Pathologist Assistant is responsible for the macroscopic examination and dissection of surgical pathology specimens, performance of intraoperative frozen section consultation, and coordination of tumor banking activities in the operating room and gross room, under the supervision of a board certified Pathologist. This role assists pathologists in the diagnosis of human disease. In addition, this role provides technical, administrative, and educational assistance to members of the lab and other departments and coordinates coverage responsibilities and daily staffing with the RWJBH gross room leadership to ensure appropriate coverage and efficient workflow. The Pathologist’s Assistant is committed to continuous quality improvement, excellent patient care, and outstanding cancer research.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the Following:

• Acts as lead person responsible for grossing surgical human tissue specimens as needed to meet the research goals and objectives the Biospecimen Repository and Histopathology Service Shared Resource at the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
• Responsible for actively consulting with Pathologist and is aware of the delicate balance between research needs and diagnostic potential of every specimen, and as such, exercises judicious care in selecting tissue for the tissue bank while also ensuring that there is an appropriate amount of tissue for patient diagnosis.
• Performs macroscopic examination, dissection of all types of tissue specimens, and dictation of routine and complex surgical pathology specimens including oncologic resections, organ biopsies, and small specimens autonomously. Selects and submits representative tissue sections for histological processing in accordance with departmental protocols and CAP standards to facilitate the patient’s diagnosis in the most efficient manner possible. Dictates accurate specimen description and selects appropriate sections for submission, in order to facilitate the patient’s diagnosis in the most efficient manner possible.
• Organizes and manages the integrity of data entered into the tissue retrieval database.
• Obtains and anonymizes pathology reports for all tissue retrieval tissue specimens. Keeps appropriate records relating to such procedures. Complies with all HIPAA regulations and Institutional Review Board regulations for the protection of human subjects.
• Coordinates retrieval of all tissue specimens for the Rutgers Cancer Institute tissue bank, guides tissue technicians in pick-up, data recording and labeling procedures.
• Performs frozen sectioning of tissue specimens for immediate diagnosis in a timely manner following CAP guidelines. Provide intraoperative frozen section coverage and assist with specimen triage duties as needed to meet departmental clinical needs.
• Familiar with aseptic technique for collection of sterile specimens.
• Meets with principle investigators and study coordinators to develop and implement a plan for facilitating retrieval of tissue specimens for specific research protocols.
• Maintains current knowledge of all active research protocols requiring the retrieval of human tissue specimens. Extracts pertinent information from research protocols and applies this information in the daily grossing of surgical human tissue specimens. Takes active steps to obtain additional necessary information, when needed.

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Grade

Grade 27S

Salary Details

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 77661.000

Mid Range Salary 93390.000

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 111027.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Union Description HPAE 5094

Payroll Designation

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• A Master’s Degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology is required.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Graduate from an ASCP Pathologists Assistants’ program Pathologist Assistant (American Society of Clinical Pathologists ( ASCP ) certification required within the first year of employment.
• Equivalent experience, education and/or training may be substituted for education requirements.

Certifications/Licenses

• Graduate from an ASCP Pathologists Assistants’ program Pathologist Assistant (American Society of Clinical Pathologists ( ASCP ) certification required within the first year of employment.
• Must maintain an active board certification once obtained.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have strong working knowledge of surgical anatomy, oncologic pathology, and specimen handling best practices.
• Must be computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and promote ideas and transfer detailed knowledge to others.
• Must be able to meet all regulatory requirements for Rutgers/ CINJ / RWJUH .

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with tumor banking, biospecimen procurement, or IRB -regulated research protocols and experience with frozen section technique in a fast-paced intraoperative environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with LIS platforms and voice dictation software (e.g., Epic Beaker) is preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Standing, sitting, walking, talking and hearing. No special vision requirements. Lifting up to 25lbs. Exposure to formalin, xylene, and other chemical fixatives/dehydrants; proper PPE provided and required at all times. Manual dexterity required for fine dissection and tissue handling. Ability to respond to OR calls with minimal notice, including potential on-call coverage as required.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT :Lab environment. Moderate noise. Exposure to blood, excrement, anti-neoplastic drugs and possible exposure to infectious and communicable diseases. Universal precautions are mandatory. Exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Special Conditions

Posting Number

Posting Number 26ST1947

Posting Open Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Home Location Campus Downtown New Brunswick

City

State

State NJ

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Have you graduated from an ASCP-accredited Pathologists' Assistant program?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you possess a Master's Degree in a relevant scientific discipline, such as biology, or the equivalent experience, education and/or training, and a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: Non-Discrimination-Statement.

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