Pathology Technician

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Center (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health’s Gross Room seeks a meticulous team member to assist pathologists and residents in processing and analyzing surgical specimens per approved procedures. You will handle accessioning, biopsies, and specimen management while maintaining equipment and records with strict safety standards.

The role supports autopsies and daily lab operations, requiring collaboration with pathologists and residents and adherence to approved procedures.

Qualifications

• Assist pathologists and residents in processing and analyzing surgical specimens.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and supplies in the Gross Room.
• Understand safety and regulatory requirements in a clinical pathology setting.

Responsibilities

• Accession patient specimens following standard procedures to meet clinical needs.
• Perform biopsies and other procedures as directed by Pathologists/Pathology Assistants.
• Maintain specimens, equipment and records; ensure proper filing and storage.
• Assist in autopsies; help maintain autopsy suites with daily cleaning and safety procedures.
• Adhere to approved procedures; support team with additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Mentoring & Coaching

Diagnostic Testing

Equipment Maintenance

Quality Assurance

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization

Gross Room

Job Summary

Provides assistance to pathologists, pathologist assistants or residents in performing tasks that directly support processing and analysis of surgical specimens following approved procedures with occasional guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Accessions patient specimens following standard procedures in a timely manner to meet clinical needs of the Gross Room.
• Performs biopsies and other special procedures as assigned by PAs following standard approved procedures.
• Maintains specimens, equipment and supplies, records and files.
• Assists residents and pathologists in performing autopsies, maintains the autopsy suites by performing daily cleaning and maintenance following approved laboratory and safety procedures.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Mentoring & Coaching (Fundamental Awareness): Has training, direct exposure, limited experience, or past experience in mentoring and training others. Has mentored and/or trained co-workers on a team on a technical or functional subject.
• Diagnostic Testing (Novice): Demonstrates proficiency of diagnostic testing in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results.
• Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.
• Quality Assurance (Fundamental Awareness): Understands the goal of increasing organizational productivity and individual performance by making the products and services within your work assignments more efficient and more effective. Demonstrates quality management practices on the job which result in superior products and services delivered.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid‑South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications

Responsibilities

Certifications

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

Less than 1 year

Education

Associate's

• health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.