PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT - SIGN ON BONUS ELIGIBLE

Independence Health System; Butler (Butler County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus of $10,000

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Butler County, United States, is seeking a Pathologists' Assistant to perform gross dissection and documentation of surgical specimens. The role requires a Master's Degree in a relevant program, preferred certification, and offers a $10,000 sign-on bonus. Responsibilities include collaborating with the pathology team, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining high standards in specimen handling. Experience in clinical rotations or as a Pathologists’ Assistant is preferred, emphasizing teamwork and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in Pathologists’ Assistant Program required.
• PA (ASCP) certification preferred or obtainable within two years.
• Clinical rotation or one year as a Pathologists’ Assistant preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform gross processing of surgical pathology specimens.
• Assist in the preparation of surgical specimens for cytological studies.
• Collaborate with pathology staff and document procedures accurately.

Skills

Clinical rotation experience

Ability to perform gross dissection

Documentation skills

Education

Master Degree in Pathologists’ Assistant Program

Tools

Computers

Job description

Position Overview

$10,000 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
• Stairs – To ascend and descend stairs – OCCASIONAL
• 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

Material Handling

• Pushing (OCCASIONAL, up to 20#)
• Pulling (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 in cramped quarters – OCCASIONAL
• Constant interruptions – CONSTANT
• Exposure to noise (constant) – CONSTANT
• Exposure to solvents, grease, oils – OCCASIONAL
• Exposure to radiant energy, i.e., computer terminal (more than 4 hours per shift) – CONSTANT
• Working with bloodborne pathogens – CONSTANT

Physical Demand

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, health club exercising, treadmill work, stretching, yoga, walking/run, aerobic class, dancing, carrying bucket/wood, auto body repair, shoveling snow, golf (carrying clubs). Heavy to Very Heavy (>6.4); Calisthenics, carrying groceries upstairs, shoveling coal, bailing hay, firefighting, sawing by hand, splitting wood.

Specific Job Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• 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.
• Assists with the preparation of freshly removed surgical specimens for cytological studies.
• Works collaboratively with Surgical Pathology Technicians, Histologists and secretarial/transcriptionist. Properly documents procedures and codes correctly.
• Prepares and follows requirements for special testing. Maintains Gross room, equipment, specimen storage and disposal, biohazard waste, hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials.
• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives; prepares quality assurance reports, workload summary reports and service call schedules.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Completed mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completed annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintained license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• 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.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.

Job Behaviors

• “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.
• Fosters a teamwork approach by respecting other members of the hospital team. Stays involved and informed of happenings within the organization. Creates win‑win situations by helping others. Works to resolve conflicts and concerns in a constructive way and asks for assistance in helpful ways.
• 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”.
• 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.
• 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.