Pathologist's Assistant (PA) - Instructor

University of Colorado Anschutz; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 96,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Tuition benefit

Paid time off

ECO Pass

Job summary

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking a Pathologist's Assistant (PA) at Instructor rank to contribute clinical and technical expertise in surgical pathology, working under supervision of a faculty pathologist. The PA will handle gross descriptions, sample tissues, and ensure accurate diagnoses in collaboration with a team of health professionals.

Onsite in Aurora, CO with responsibilities including teaching grossing, intraoperative support, and adherence to HIPAA and

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited Pathologists' Assistant program.
• ASCP certified, or certification eligible as a Pathologists' Assistant and once achieved, ASCP certification must be maintained for the length of employment.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Gross routine and non-routine simple and complex specimens according to protocols and requirements for accurate diagnoses and consult the attending pathologist when needed.
• Teaching grossing fundamentals and procedures to residents on surgical pathology service and act as instructor for all services and specimens at the bench.
• Provides technical assistance for all aspects of intraoperative consultations, and regularly interacts with surgeons and pathologists to provide expedient patient care and specimen processing.
• Frequent frozen section training, assistance, and provides coverage when numerous concurrent specimens require intraoperative consultations.
• Triages and collects specimen samples according to proper protocols and requirements for ancillary studies (cultures, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and send out tests).
• Ensure patient confidentiality by following the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and adhering to other departmental and hospital policies.
• Facilitates accessioning, biopsy grossing, and frozen section coverage and support as needed.
• Photographs and x-rays tissues for research and/or diagnostic purposes.
• Assumes other responsibilities as directed by the supervisor

Skills

Clinical pathology

Teaching / training

Intraoperative consultations

Education

Master's degree from accredited Pathologists' Assistant program

ASCP certification (or eligible)

Job description

Job Title

Pathologist's Assistant (PA) - Instructor

Position #00602527: - Requisition #38188:

Job Summary

The Department of Pathology is seeking a full-time (1.0 FTE) Pathologists' Assistant (PA) at the rank of Instructor to join our team. The PA will contribute their clinical and technical expertise in surgical pathology while working under the general supervision of a faculty pathologist.

Our PA's gross simple and complex anatomic pathology specimens from the onsite operating rooms and clinics and those from around the metro area. They interact daily with numerous health professionals of all roles for all aspects of patient care from intraoperative consultations to aiding in the resolution of interdisciplinary issues.

An incoming PA must have a broad understanding of the day-to-day operations of the gross room and is critical in maintaining organization and efficiency.

The PA will make innumerable highly technical and important decisions on the gross description of all specimens, how the tissues are described, and which area(s) and/or anatomic features must be sampled to ensure complete and accurate diagnoses. The PA must always pay strict attention to detail and follow institutional and regulatory standards and requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Gross routine and non-routine simple and complex specimens according to protocols and requirements for accurate diagnoses and consult the attending pathologist when needed.
• Teaching grossing fundamentals and procedures to residents on surgical pathology service and act as instructor for all services and specimens at the bench.
• Provides technical assistance for all aspects of intraoperative consultations, and regularly interacts with surgeons and pathologists to provide expedient patient care and specimen processing.
• Frequent frozen section training, assistance, and provides coverage when numerous concurrent specimens require intraoperative consultations.
• Triages and collects specimen samples according to proper protocols and requirements for ancillary studies (cultures, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and send out tests).
• Ensure patient confidentiality by following the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and adhering to other departmental and hospital policies.
• Facilitates accessioning, biopsy grossing, and frozen section coverage and support as needed.
• Photographs and x-rays tissues for research and/or diagnostic purposes.
• Assumes other responsibilities as directed by the supervisor

Work Location

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us

Welcome to the Department of Pathology of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The Department has grown substantially in the past 15 years, from 40 to 150 faculty in parallel with the remarkable growth of our hospital based affiliated systems. Our work is evidence based and focused on scientific investigation, subspecialty based medical expertise and training the next generation of medical and scientific leaders. In addition to a vibrant and highly competitive residency program with 26 positions, we offer 13 fellowships and participate in numerous graduate school PhD and post-doctoral programs as well as a MD/PhD program for physicians in the CU School of Medicine. The majority of our practice is academic and based on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora Colorado, although some are community hospital based in Colorado. Our faculty are diversely trained, from veterinarians to physicians and PhD scientists who focus on drug development and cancer research. The Department operates three state of the art reference labs in anatomic pathology, molecular genetic and genomic pathology and cytogenetics, providing national and regional expertise in these rapidly developing clinical fields.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited Pathologists' Assistant program.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified, or certification eligible as a Pathologists' Assistant and once achieved, ASCP certification must be maintained for the length of employment

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience performing Pathologist Assistant duties relating to Anatomic Pathology.
• Experience working within an educational medical lab environment and assisting with the education of pathology residents and working in a high volume and complexity laboratory.

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by November 30, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

$96,000 to $120,000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Job Information

Job Category: Faculty

Primary Location: Aurora

Department: U0001 -- Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 20112 - SOM-Pathology

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Nov 5, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Posting Contact Name: Andrea Hartwick

Posting Contact Email: [e-mail]

Position Number: 00602527