PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT -

Independence Health System Inc.; Butler (Butler County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System Inc. in Butler, PA seeks a Pathologists’ Assistant under supervision of a pathologist to perform gross dissection and dictation of surgical specimens, document handling, and summarize clinical history.

Responsibilities include assisting with accreditation, preparing specimens for cytology, and maintaining department workflows; essential functions include safety, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Clinical rotation as part of the Master Degree program or equivalent experience.
• Preferred: PA (ASCP) or equivalent certification or obtained within two years of hire/transfer.

Responsibilities

• Performs gross dissection and dictation of surgical specimens under the supervision of a pathologist.
• Documents all tissue handling and summarizes clinical history.
• Assists with maintaining the laboratory accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with the preparation of freshly removed surgical specimens for cytological studies.
• Works collaboratively with Surgical Pathology Technicians, Histologists and secretarial/ transcriptionist.

Skills

Clinical rotation

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Pathologists’ Assistant Program

Job description

**** $20,000 SIGN ON BONUS ***** Under the supervision of a pathologist, performs gross dissection and dictation of surgical specimens; correctly documents all tissue handling and summarizes clinical history. Assists with maintaining the laboratory accreditation and regulatory requirements.

Education:

• Minimum: Master Degree in Pathologists’ Assistant Program or equivalent
• Preferred: N/A

Registration/Certification/Licensure:

• Preferred: PA (ASCP) or equivalent certification or obtained within two years of hire/transfer

Experience:

• Minimum: Clinical rotation as part of the Master Degree program or equivalent experience.
• Preferred: One year experience as Pathologists’ Assistant.

Other Requirements:

• Responsible to safely access, transport, and handle sharps, such as needles, suture kits, lancets, syringes, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional:
• (0-1/3 of day , 0 - 2.5 hrs/day, 1 - 4 reps/hr)
• Frequent:
• (1/3 -2/3 of day , 2.5 - 5.5 hrs/day, 5 -24 reps/hr)
• Constant
• (> 2/3rd of day , > 5.5 hrs/day, > 24 reps/hr)

NOTE: An asterisk (*) indicates that the item is an essential function.

Non-Material Handling

• Standing - Remaining on one's feet in an upright position remaining stationary - CONSTANT
• Walking - Remaining upright on one's feet, and moving about - FREQUENT
• Sitting - Body remains in a seated position - FREQUENT
• Stooping - To bend the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist - OCCASIONAL
• Bending - To flex the upper body forward - OCCASIONAL
• Twisting - To rotate the upper body forward - FREQUENT
• Climbing - To move the body in any direction on equipment or structures that do not include stairs or ladders - N/A
• Ladders - To ascend and descend ladders - N/A
• Stairs - To ascend and descend stairs - OCCASIONAL
• Kneeling - To move the body downwards and come to rest on both hands and both knees - N/A
• Squatting - To move the body downwards by bending both knees - OCCASIONAL
• Crouching - To bend the body forward and downward by bending the spine and the legs - N/A
• Crawling - To move the body forward or backwards on hands and knees - N/A
• Reaching Horizontal - To extend the arms and hands outward, remaining under shoulder height - CONSTANT
• Reaching Overhead - To extend the arms and hands up and out over shoulder height - OCCASIONAL
• Grasping - Using functional gripping of the hand to handle an object - CONSTANT
• Finger Manipulation - To manipulate objects with the use of fingers - CONSTANT
• Seeing
• - Using visual feedback to accomplish a task or activity - CONSTANT
• Hearing - Using sound feedback to accomplish a task or activity - CONSTANT
• Repetitive Upper Extremity Use - Using the arms and/or hands continuously or more than 2/3 of the total time - CONSTANT
• Repetitive Lower Extremity Use - Using the legs and/or feet continuously or more than 2/3 of the total time - N/A

Material Handling

• Pushing - To exert a force upon an object in order to move it in a certain direction Pushing refers to moving an object away from theperson
• OCCASIONAL Up to 20#
• Pulling - To exert a force upon an object in order to move it in a certain direction Pulling refers to moving an object towards the person
• OCCASIONAL Up to 20#
• Lift - Floor to Waist OCCASIONAL 20# - 50#
• Lift - Waist to shoulder OCCASIONAL Up to 20#
• Lift - Shoulder to overhead OCCASIONAL Up to 20#
• Carrying - To transport an object or article using the arms or hands (> 10 feet) OCCASIONAL 20# - 50#

Environmental Factors

• Working alone - N/A
• Working in cramped quarters - OCCASIONAL
• Constant interruptions - CONSTANT
• Working with hands in water - N/A
• Use of power tools - N/A
• Working on ladders/scaffolding - N/A
• Exposure to vibration - N/A
• Exposure to dust - N/A
• Exposure to noise (constant) - CONSTANT
• Exposure to electrical energy (outlets, etc) - N/A
• Exposure to temperature changes (heat, cold, humidity), that require special clothing - N/A
• Exposure to solvents, grease, oils - OCCASIONAL
• Exposure to radiant energy, ie computer terminal (more than 4 hours per shift) - CONSTANT
• Working with bloodborne pathogens - CONSTANT
• Cardiovascular Energy Requirements - Physical Demand

Physical Demand

• MetLevel
• Examples of similar activity intensity
• Sedentary to Light
• 0 - 3.5
• Light house cleaning, washing dishes, serving food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work.
• Medium
• 3.6 - 6.3
• House work (mopping, scrubbing), health club exercising, treadmill work, stretching, yoga, walk/run-playwith children, aerobic class, dancing, carrying bucket/wood, auto body repair, shoveling snow, golf(carrying clubs).
• Heavy to Very Heavy
• > 6.4
• Calisthenics (push up, pull up, sit up, vigorous effort), carrying groceries upstairs, shoveling coal, bailinghay, fire fighting, sawing by hand, splitting wood.
• As relates to this position:
• Sedentary to Light - CONSTANT
• Medium - N/A
• Heavy to Very Heavy - N/A

I. Specific Job Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• 1. Performs gross processing of a variety of complex surgical pathology specimens including intraoperative consults (frozen sections) in regulatory compliance with the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Responds to questions and requests for additional grossing processes from the Pathologist to improve the diagnostic value of the tissue prepared.
• 2. Assists with the preparation of freshly removed surgical specimens for cytological studies.
• 3. Works collaboratively with Surgical Pathology Technicians, Histologists and secretarial/ transcriptionist. Properly documents procedures and codes correctly.
• 4. Prepares and follows requirements for special testing. Maintains Gross room, equipment, specimen storage and disposal, biohazard waste, hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials.
• 5. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives; prepares quality assurance reports, workload summary reports, and service call schedules.

II. Organizational Responsibilities:

• 1. Completed mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• 2. Completed annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• 3. Maintained license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• 4. Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self. Identifies and works to reduce potentially unsafe patient care or other safety practices.
• 5. Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.

III. Job Behaviors:

• 1. “Sets the Stage” by using greetings/introductions when interacting with any customer or entering a patient room. Looks and acts like a professional. Uses consistent phone etiquette. Helps people who look lost or confused. Keeps a clean and professional environment and workspace. Clarifies expectations and creates positive handoffs and positive lasting impressions.
• 2. Fosters a teamwork approach by respecting other members of the hospital team. Stays involved and informed of happenings within the organizations. Creates win-win situations by helping others. Works to resolve conflicts and concerns in a constructive way and asks for assistance in helpful ways.
• 3. Is the Owner: Takes responsibility for problems, issues or opportunities for improvement by initiating constructive review of concern rather than negatively attacking an issue. Understands systems and processes and uses appropriate channels to address concerns when out of own span of control. Demonstrates compassion and works beyond “own assignment” by seeing “big picture”.
• 4. Creates a Caring Environment by communicating in helpful ways. Always protects the confidentiality and dignity of patients and others. Listens with empathy and understanding and provides options and choices.
• 5. Provides Great Explanations through user-friendly information and explanations (uses language others can understand). Makes sure people know what they can and cannot expect and checks for understanding and agreement.