Pathology Assistant

MUSC; Orleans Estates (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical University of South Carolina is seeking a Pathology Assistant to process and gross biopsy and excision specimens under the supervision of a pathologist or certified Pathologist’s Assistant. This role emphasizes quality control, documentation, and collaboration with the surgical pathology team.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least 6 years of related experience, with responsibilities spanning specimen processing, logging, accessioning, and CAP-aligned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• At least 6 years of related experience.
• Experience performing quality control/quality assurance in a pathology lab.

Responsibilities

• Performs Quality Control and Quality Assurance tests as required and maintains documentation.
• Describes gross features and processes specimens; logs, assigns accession numbers, and labels cassettes per protocol.
• Prioritizes and triages specimens while ensuring regulatory compliance and safe handling.
• Supports pathologists and QA audits, researching discrepancies to identify variance origins.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the Section Director of Surgical Pathology, the Pathology Assistant is primarily responsible for processing and grossing of biopsy and excision specimens under the oversight of pathologist and /or certified Pathologist’s Assistant and performance of quality control and assurance tests. Please note that this is not a Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) position, which requires formal PA certification.

Entity

University Medical Associates (UMA) Only Employees and Financials

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Cost Center

CC001001 COM PATH Anatomic Pathology CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-31

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Work Experience

At least 6 years of related experience

Job Duties:

25% - Performs Quality Control and Quality Assurance tests as required. Maintains all necessary documentation and current logs. Reports all concerns of test quality and/or patient or employee safety to a Supervisor or Safety Officer. Preserves and processes gross specimens and sets up documentation of surgical specimens. Organizes slides, data, generating tables, and assists with any other requests.

35% - Describes gross anatomic features of Processing Specimens (as defined by CAP), sections the specimen according to specific protocols, and submits the correct portion of specimens for histologic preparation. Prepares cases to be grossed-in by logging in surgical pathology specimens in the tissue laboratory, assigning accession numbers, checking tissue-examination forms and specimens for completeness and accuracy, and labeling specimen cassettes with accession numbers by differentiation according to varied specimen requirements. Performs accurate gross description and dissection of surgical specimens according to the guidelines established by the Anatomic Pathology Medical Director for a Gross Technician. Demonstrates the ability to accurately prioritize and triage specimens, handles and disposes of specimens and chemical waste based on the laboratory’s procedural manual, and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies.

20% - Prioritizes and triages specimens, handles and disposes of specimens and chemical waste based on the laboratory’s procedural manual, and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies. Aides in discrepancy resolution. Photomicrographs area of interest of specimens to be included on final report and performs a Quality Control (QC) function during the image capture process.

20% - Responsible for helping pathologists, adjunct pathologists, and remote pathologists respond to Quality Assurance audits, etc. Assists in the identification and research of discrepancy cases to determine the origin of variance.

Physical Requirements:

Continuous requirements are to work indoors; possess good finger dexterity; maintain tactile sensory functions; maintain 20/40 vision corrected in one eye or with both eyes; maintain good peripheral vision capabilities; and maintain hearing acuity with correction.

Frequent requirements are to perform job functions while standing/upright, sitting, and walking/mobile; fully use both hands and arms; perform repetitive motions with hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders; perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements; reach in all directions; see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance; match or discriminate between colors; determine distance and relationship between objects including depth perception; and hear and/or understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet.

Infrequent requirements are to kneel and squat to perform job functions; perform pinching operations; lift and carry 15 lbs. unassisted; lift objects up to 15 lbs. from floor level to a height of 36 inches unassisted; and push or pull objects up to 15 lbs. unassisted.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees