Pathologists Assistant

Emory Healthcare; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus incentives

Health benefits start day one

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Family-focused benefits

Wellness incentives

Ongoing mentorship programs

Leadership programs

Job summary

Emory Healthcare seeks a Pathologist's Assistant II to perform gross dissection, tissue block preparation, and rapid frozen section support under supervision. The role includes assisting in autopsies and mentoring trainees, with expectations of strong anatomy knowledge and safety compliance.

Qualifications include NAACLS-accredited PA training and ASCP BOC certification, plus 1 year of relevant experience. This is onsite at Emory’s pathology department with comprehensive benefits."

Qualifications

• Education: degree from a NAACLS-accredited Pathologist's Assistant program.
• Experience: 1 year examining surgical, forensic, and autopsy-derived specimens under a pathologist.
• Certification: ASCP BOC certified with renewal every three years.

Responsibilities

• Gross dissection of specimens and preparation for diagnostic processing.
• Assist in post-mortem examinations and autopsy-related tasks.
• Troubleshoot issues and mentor PA trainees and residents.

Skills

Mid-level computer skills

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Education

NAACLS-accredited PA program

Bachelor's in Chemistry/Physics/Biology with NAACLS PA

Job description

Overview

Shift: 9am – 5:30pm

Be inspired. Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare.

At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be.

We provide:

• Sign-on bonus incentives (when applicable)
• Comprehensive health benefits that start day one
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs
• Family-focused benefits
• Wellness incentives
• Ongoing mentorship and leadership programs
• And more!

All levels of experience and education will be considered for this posting.

Description

A Pathologist's Assistant II is an experienced Pathologist's Assistant who has a foundational understanding of the gross dissection of simple to complex specimens (grossing).

• Comfortable independently grossing, preparing detailed gross dissection, and selecting appropriate tissue samples to ensure accurate diagnostic processing by the pathologist.
• Becoming more proficient in troubleshooting issues and teaching other Pathologist's Assistants and pathologist trainees.
• Also assist in the performance of post-mortem examinations.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Technical Duties

• Performing examination of tissue specimens removed during surgery ranging from biopsies to moderately complex surgical resections to include describing and dissection of these specimens.
• Selection and preparation of tissue blocks and sections, submitting tissue for histological processing.
• Performing frozen sections for rapid diagnosis.
• Performing photography of individual organs, specimens, and foreign bodies
• May participate in autopsy examinations, to include prosecting (dissection), specimen collection, recording anatomical findings and photography of individual organs.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of anatomy, grossing techniques, grossing templates, equipment, special studies, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Familiar with grossing simple specimens, moderately complex malignant cases but may still need a more experienced Pathologist's Assistant for clarification.
• Able to assist pathologist trainees and Pathologist's Assistant students with their grossing.
• Have a solid understanding of laboratory safety, quality control, and regulatory standards.
• Monitors data entry for accuracy and completeness.
• Initiates steps to prevent the recurrence of errors or poor service.
• Ensures preventive maintenance procedures are completed and documented per regulatory guidelines.
• Possess working knowledge of departmental operations including IT, accreditation standards, timekeeping system, and document control.
• Develops anatomic pathology competencies in demonstrating comprehensive preparation and analysis of tissue samples.

Complexity

• Performs gross dissection of simple specimens to moderately complex malignant specimens.
• Expected to make decisions within the scope of routine specimens and procedures.
• Practices universal precautions, barrier protection methods, and infection control procedures.
• Initiate intervention on unacceptable specimens.

Autonomy

• Moderate autonomy: performs grossing independently with minimal oversight but seeks assistance for complex or unusual specimens.
• Maintains laboratory equipment to ensure proper safety and cleanliness standards are followed.
• May assist in tasks related to instrument maintenance.
• Within moderate autonomy, independently identify, understand, and document issues and opportunities and uplift to the Supervisor, if necessary.

Interaction

• Routinely interacts with pathologist trainees, Pathologist's Assistant students, and clinicians.
• Assists entry level Pathologist's Assistants, Pathologist's Assistant students and contributes to annual new pathology resident training program.
• Frequent interaction with Pathologist's Assistant supervisor and senior Pathologist's Assistants for performance feedback, guidance, and training.
• Redirects other healthcare professionals to the Pathologist's Assistant supervisors or more experienced Pathologist's Assistants.
• Upholds the values of the organization, including providing and demonstrating exemplary customer service skills throughout.
• Maintains a professional image through both formal and informal communication with internal and external customers.
• Strives to ensure open and accurate communication with all.
• Committed to achieving total customer and patient satisfaction.

Other Duties

Perform additional work-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Required

• Education: Requires a degree from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited Pathologist's Assistant program.
• Experience: Requires one (1) year of experience examining a variety of surgical, forensic, and autopsy-derived anatomical specimens under the supervision of a pathologist.
• Licensure: None.
• Certification: ASCP certified. American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) certified. The certification must be renewed every three years through the ASCP Credential Maintenance Program.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required)

• Mid-level computer skills required.
• Effective communication and people skills.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving skills and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.

Preferred Qualification

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Chemical, Physical or Biological Science, with graduation from a post-graduate NAACLS-accredited PA program, and certification as a PA (ASCP).
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience examining a variety of surgical, forensic, and autopsy-derived anatomical specimens under the supervision of a pathologist.
• Licensure: None.
• Certification: American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) certified as a Pathologist's Assistant.

Knowledge, skills, and ability requirements (preferred)

• Knowledge: Strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
• Skills: High-level analytical, organizational, and communication skills; proficiency in specimen grossing and laboratory technology.

Work Conditions

• Travel: None.
• Work Type: Onsite 100% of time.

Additional Details

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (Medium Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs., 0-33% of the workday (occasionally) Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at [e-mail]. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.