Pathologists' Assistant - Copley Lab - Day Shift - Per Diem

Sharp HealthCare; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp HealthCare in San Diego seeks a Pathologist Assistant to provide accurate processing of surgical specimens under the supervision of a pathologist. The role supports a full spectrum of laboratory services, including gross examination, tissue sampling, and preparation for analysis.

Requirements include a Bachelor's Degree and ASCP certification as Pathologist Assistant, with certification within 6 months of start date.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• ASCP Pathologist Assistant certification required or to be obtained within 6 months of start date.
• Pathologist Assistant PA(ASCP) certification is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Process simple and complex (Levels 1–2B) laboratory specimens under pathologist supervision.
• Assist with gross examination, specimen submission, and tissue sampling.
• Prepare tissues for processing and coordinate special studies as directed.
• Support accreditation activities and ensure timely, accurate reporting.

Skills

Pathologist Assistant

ASCP Certification

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Hours

Variable

Shift Start Time

Variable

Shift End Time

Variable

AWS Hours Requirement

8/40 - 8 Hour Shift

Additional Shift Information

As Needed

Weekend Requirements

As Needed

On-Call Required

No

Hourly Pay Range (Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum)

$76.160 - $98.280 - $110.080

The stated pay scale reflects the range that Sharp reasonably expects to pay for this position. The actual pay rate and pay grade for this position will be dependent on a variety of factors, including an applicant’s years of experience, unique skills and abilities, education, alignment with similar internal candidates, marketplace factors, other requirements for the position, and employer business practices.

What You Will Do

Provide accurate and timely processing of the full spectrum of simple and complex (Levels 1, 2A, and 2B) laboratory specimens and provide additional services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. Provides the technical knowledge, expertise, and judgment required to support the Sharp HealthCare (SHC) mission and scope of laboratory services.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Pathologist Assistant PA(ASCP) - ASCP Board of Certification -REQUIRED

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 Years experience grossing simple and (Level 1 and 2A) and complex (Level 2B) cases

Other Qualification Requirements

• ASCP Pathologist Assist certification is required within 6 months of start date.

Essential Functions

• Analytical Testing Procedures
• Obtain clinical histories.
• Describe gross features of tissue for processing (Level 1), simple (Level 2A) and complex (Level 2B) surgical specimens according to standards of the profession.
• Prepare tissue samples for processing for light microscopy.
• Select samples for special studies such as research, chemosensitivity testing, flow cytometry, image analysis, cytogenetics, cultures, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, crystal identification etc.
• Perform special procedures including tumor triage, tumor banking, x-ray imaging.
• Demonstrate proficiency with selecting tissue for frozen sections, cutting frozen section blocks and staining frozen section and touch preparation slides, in a timely manner within the standards of quality.
• Teach pathologists' assistant students, Health Sciences high school students, pathology residents, medical students (when applicable).
• Photograph gross specimens and microscopic slides.
• Assist with specimen accessioning.
• Maintenance of surgical/autopsy pathology protocols, procedures, reports and data.
• Assure proper maintenance of equipment.
• Assist in preparation for accreditation inspections (CAP, Joint Commission).
• Performance of supervisory/management duties as delegated.
• Assure legal authorization for autopsy.
• Obtain medical records/charts for review and prepare the preliminary summarization of the clinical history.
• Coordinate any requests for special specimen sampling such as organ transplantation, research.
• Consult with attending pathologist to identify special techniques to be utilized during the examination, including cultures, toxicology, coronary artery perfusion, enucleation, etc.
• Perform postmortem examinations including external exam, in-situ organ inspection, evisceration, organ dissection and dictation of findings.
• Prepare tissues for processing for light microscopy and special studies.
• Photograph the body, organs, microscopic slides and other pertinent materials.
• Completes processes without error using written policies, procedures and other appropriate resources; identifies issues in policies or procedures.
• SHC corporate commitment to compliance training principles are correctly and appropriately utilized when performing assigned procedures as written.
• Performs new procedures and policies within acceptable training time intervals; meets department turnaround time goals.
• Documents activities and results consistently, thoroughly and legibly; proofreads and double checks own work to minimize errors.
• Evaluates data for accuracy and verifies any questionable finding with thorough investigation and appropriate follow-through.
• Performs or assists with pre-analytical and post analytical procedures and demonstrates assessment of testing factors with regard to patient age and population specific groups.

Clinical Competency

ASCP Pathologist Assist certification is required within 6 months of start date. Documentation and tracking of this certification is the responsibility of the department and will be maintained by the department.

Communication and Teamwork

Proactively initiates communication and works cooperatively with others to successfully complete work assignments. Demonstrates positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Completes documentation legibly, accurately, and timely. Stays informed through staff meetings, electronic communication, in-services, and educational opportunities. Establishes effective working relationships between internal and external customers. Seeks opportunities for feedback to improve effectiveness of own communication. Validates messages by clarifying expectations and verifying Understanding of agreements/action plans.

Critical Thinking

Demonstrates appropriate and logical decisions, especially under critical and stressful situations. Demonstrates empathy to patients, coworkers, and all others encountered in the workplace. Able to troubleshoot in a logical, productive manner to reach an acceptable resolution.

Demonstrates Flexibility and Adaptability

Uses time effectively and actively sets priorities. Demonstrates flexibility in work practices and adjusts to unscheduled situations. Cooperates with initiatives to improve work processes. Tries new ideas and new ways of doing things. Positively embraces and is receptive to change and actively participates in the process.

Equipment Management

Utilizes all equipment (including phone, copier, fax, etc.), instruments, products, and other tools per manufacturer's and training instructions and according to established procedures. Demonstrates competency and efficient use of all tool applications (IS, PC, other system/software) and equipment to produce the end product. Performs required preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment/tools. Reports and documents equipment/tool/reagent issues and failures. Checks inventory expiration dates and demonstrates ability to evaluate consumables (reagent/supply) inventory to prevent shortages; alerts ordering personnel. Removes defective equipment from use, documents problem, and notifies appropriate personnel for repair; verifies equipment inspections are up-to-date.

Quality Assurance

Completes and assesses all QC procedures in place with indicated corrective action and resolution as needed. Coordinates and completes processes in place to meet standards established to maintain quality testing. Has knowledge of and reviews quality assurance indicators and monitors in place and works with the laboratory team to meet the established thresholds. Completes daily position tasks within expected timeframes to meet overall histology lab QA goal expectations. Identifies errors and follows-through with investigation, correction, documentation, and notification to appropriate caregiver and lab leadership. Sharp HealthCare is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability or any other protected class