Pathology Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentives

Relocation incentives

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Pathology Specialist for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. You will independently plan and execute assignments under a Pathologist or Designee to support the Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service.

Responsibilities include surgical pathology operations, gross examination, tissue handling, and coordinating ancillary testing while maintaining regulatory compliance and high quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Surgical Pathology operations by prioritizing specimens and coordinating workloads under indirect supervision of a Pathologist.
• Perform comprehensive gross examinations of surgical specimens, identify structures, assess disease extent, and document findings.
• Dissect specimens, select representative tissue sections, ensure margins and tumor characteristics align with CAP protocols.
• Coordinate ancillary testing (histochemical, immunohistochemical, flow cytometry, cytology, molecular) and ensure proper submission.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues, implement corrective actions, and communicate delays to providers.
• Maintain records of gross photographs, tissue blocks, slides, and residual specimens with proper storage and disposal.

Job description

• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates *** This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland - OH. The Pathology Specialist is responsible for independently plannig and carrying out assignments to accomplish the goals of the service under the supervision of a Pathologist or Designee.

Summary

• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates *** This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland - OH. The Pathology Specialist is responsible for independently plannig and carrying out assignments to accomplish the goals of the service under the supervision of a Pathologist or Designee.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Managing daily Surgical Pathology operations by prioritizing specimens - coordinating workloads - and resolving operational issues independently under the indirect supervision of a Pathologist Performing comprehensive gross examinations of surgical specimens - identifying anatomical structures and abnormalities - assessing disease extent - and documenting findings necessary Dissecting surgical specimens and selecting representative tissue sections - ensuring anatomical relationships - surgical margins - tumor characteristics - and staging requirements are accurately represented according to CAP protocols Assessing specimen adequacy - identification - labeling - documentation - and order accuracy while resolving discrepancies and coordinating corrective actions with submitting services Performing grossing procedures - including measurements - weighing - inking - photography - radiography - margin assessment - and intraoperative specimen preparation Conducting frozen-section procedures - including tissue preparation - microtomy - staining - coverslipping - labeling - and telepathology support while adapting established protocols to unusual specimens and urgent diagnostic requirements Coordinating ancillary testing - including histochemical and immunohistochemical studies - flow cytometry - cytology preparation - and molecular and reference laboratory testing - ensuring appropriate specimen selection - processing - documentation - and submission Investigating complex technical and operational problems involving anatomic pathology specimens - troubleshooting equipment issues - implementing corrective measures - and communicating testing requirements and diagnostic delays to providers Maintaining accurate records of gross photographs - tissue blocks - slides - and residual specimens while ensuring appropriate retention - disposal - infection control - personal protective equipment use - and hazardous waste management Administering laboratory information systems and gross dictation technologies by troubleshooting issues - developing workflows and templates - training personnel - and ensuring compliance with applicable VHA directives and accreditation standards Developing and revising laboratory procedures and workflows to optimize resource utilization - improve productivity - integrate new methodologies - and maintain compliance with VHA requirements and accreditation standards Monitoring quality indicators - including malignancy notifications - frozen-to-permanent section correlations - CAP cancer protocol completeness - and specimen identification errors - documenting findings and implementing corrective actions Compiling and analyzing laboratory quality data - monthly and annual statistics - audit findings - and performance trends while providing information to the VA Cancer Committee supporting Commission on Cancer compliance Investigating recurring errors and deficiencies through audits - inspections - and root-cause analysis - implementing corrective and preventive measures - and recommending follow-up actions to improve laboratory quality Representing the laboratory on institutional committees - participating in accreditation inspections and Anatomic Pathology meetings - and reviewing policies and procedures annually to maintain regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness Teaching anatomic pathology principles - specimen handling - gross examination - dissection techniques - and laboratory safety to pathology residents - medical students - interns - allied health professionals - and other trainees Instructing trainees through hands‑on demonstrations at grossing benches and frozen‑section areas - developing training protocols - selecting educational materials - and providing technical guidance on complex procedures Developing and maintaining educational resources - resident orientation materials - safety training documentation - competency evaluations - and trainee performance records while coordinating consistent instructional practices with other pathology training facilities Performing autopsies in rotation with residents and senior staff under Pathologist supervision - verifying consent documentation - reviewing medical records - coordinating requested viewings - and completing required autopsy documentation Monitoring autopsy and morgue operations for compliance with VHA directives and accreditation requirements - ensuring timely reports - identifying procedural deficiencies - and revising local policies to improve compliance Performing other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday to Friday
• 08:00 a.m
• to 04:30 p.m
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
• Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.