Pathologists’ Assistant

UCSF Health; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF Health in San Francisco seeks a Pathologists’ Assistant to lead grossing for complex cancer specimens and guide trainees and PAs. The role requires collaboration with directors, site managers and PAs, and involves technical decisions in grossing, intraoperative assessments, and specimen handling.

You will contribute to education, quality, and efficiency across UCSF Surgical Pathology services, supporting Autopsy and Histology as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven teaching and communication abilities in a clinical setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills for trainee interaction.
• Ability to manage time and priorities in a busy lab workflow.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical expert in gross pathology for complex cancer specimens.
• Educate and mentor trainees and pathologists’ assistants; act as role model.
• Coordinate with directors and site managers to resolve specimen issues and ensure quality.

Skills

Teaching skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Job Description

Under the direction of the directors, serves as a technical expert in UCSF Surgical Pathology Gross Rooms, providing technical assistance and direction to trainees and pathologists’ assistants (PAs). The primary role of the incumbent is practitioner, educator and role model for trainees and staff members in grossing the most complex cancer specimens (pancreas, breast, bladder, uterus, ovary, etc.) as well as simple benign resections and biopsies. It is the role of the PA to continuously interact with the laboratory director(s), site managers, supervisors and designees. The incumbent determines the need to consult with a pathologist, makes technical grossing decisions, troubleshoots and resolves specimen receiving issues. The incumbent must have the basic knowledge of the full scope of general PA technical duties in the laboratory when required (lab preparation, receiving, accessioning, performing an intraoperative evaluation including cryostat frozen sectioning and staining, gross sectioning, dictation, photography, etc.). The incumbent must also have a thorough understanding of what and why these sections are essential, and perform duties efficiently (focusing on quality and quantity). As determined, works variable schedules and rotates at other work sites as needed. Provides technical support to the Autopsy Service and Histology Laboratory as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Job Description

Under the direction of the directors, serves as a technical expert in UCSF Surgical Pathology Gross Rooms, providing technical assistance and direction to trainees and pathologists’ assistants (PAs). The primary role of the incumbent is practitioner, educator and role model for trainees and staff members in grossing the most complex cancer specimens (pancreas, breast, bladder, uterus, ovary, etc.) as well as simple benign resections and biopsies. It is the role of the PA to continuously interact with the laboratory director(s), site managers, supervisors and designees. The incumbent determines the need to consult with a pathologist, makes technical grossing decisions, troubleshoots and resolves specimen receiving issues. The incumbent must have the basic knowledge of the full scope of general PA technical duties in the laboratory when required (lab preparation, receiving, accessioning, performing an intraoperative evaluation including cryostat frozen sectioning and staining, gross sectioning, dictation, photography, etc.). The incumbent must also have a thorough understanding of what and why these sections are essential, and perform duties efficiently (focusing on quality and quantity). As determined, works variable schedules and rotates at other work sites as needed. Provides technical support to the Autopsy Service and Histology Laboratory as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A graduate from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited pathologists’ assistant training program
• Bachelor’s Degree
• ASCP certified or certification-eligible as pathologists’ assistant
• Certification-eligible candidates must pass the certification examination within one year of hire
• Demonstrated proficiency in teaching, communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility to orient and work in all UCSF Medical Center locations as needed
• Knowledge of medical terminology, specifically understanding of Pathology
• Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities and perform well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Excellent data entry, word processing, spelling, grammar, and editing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Current Fellow member of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA)
• Current Member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology
• Previous leadership experience in a hospital laboratory
• Experience working in the Pathology Department of an academic health center

Required Licenses/Certifications

• ASCP certified or certification-eligible as pathologists’ assistant
• Certification-eligible candidates must pass the certification examination within one year of hire
• Once achieved, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification must be maintained as long as one works in this position

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells. In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here . Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values .

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html