Pathology Technician Assistant

Kaiser Permanente; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente is seeking a pathology assistant-like role in our California pathology department. The incumbent will assist in receipt, preparation and examination of surgical tissue specimens and autopsies, ensuring proper logging, processing and safe disposal of materials.

The role requires experience in pathology, strong communication, and meticulous recordkeeping, with a focus on accuracy and courteous service in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.

Qualifications

• AA in Laboratory Science or MLT with required chemistry/biology coursework.
• Experience in pathology receipt and processing of surgical specimens.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive, transport, log, and prepare gross surgical and cytology specimens.
• Assist pathologist with gross examination and tissue processing.
• Store and dispose of wet tissues per protocol and safety rules.
• Assist staff and perform clerical duties (slides, stocking, mail reports).
• Label and handle reagents and hazardous wastes per regulations.
• May train staff in non-grossing duties.
• Perform daily morgue census and autopsy prep as assigned.

Skills

Pathology experience

Laboratory terminology

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Recordkeeping

Customer focus

Interpersonal skills

PC literacy

Education

AA in Laboratory Science/MLT

Job description

Job Summary:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Pathology/Laboratory Director and the Laboratory Administrative Director or designee and under general supervision of the grossing pathologist, assists pathologist in the receipt, preparation and examination of surgical tissue specimens and autopsies. Assures that all specimens are appropriately logged, processed and disposed of in a timely and safe manner. All tasks are to be done courteously and correctly; using judgment to respond appropriately to changing workload. Must be willing to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.

Essential Responsibilities:

• A. Receives, transports, verifies identification, logs, and prepares gross surgical and cytology specimens received in pathology:
  1. May be required to pick up and transport all pathology specimens from laboratory and surgery, verifying specimen identification. Resolves discrepancies.
  2. Labels specimens, requisitions, cassettes with surgical accession number, legibly and accurately.
  3. Enters accession number, patient and specimen identifiers into computer database.
  4. Processes, prepares and sends specimens to outside laboratory; accurately completes all associated paperwork.
  5. Processes, prepares and distributes intra-facility consultations.
  6. Performs tissue sections according to written policies and procedures.
• B. Assists pathologist with gross examination.
  1. Sets up necessary equipment, supplies and specimens for gross examination.
  2. Stores specimens after examination.
  3. Disinfects area/ instruments including cryostat.
  4. May assist pathologists preparing fetal/infant cadavers and associated paperwork for delivery to fetal pathologists.
• C. Maintains wet tissue storage
  1. Stores, rotates and disposes of all wet tissues in accordance with departmental procedures. Disinfects and maintains specimen storage cabinets.
  2. Disposes of tissues, decanting formaldehyde per department protocol and following all safety precautions.
• D. Assists other staff, as directed, and assists with clerical duties
  1. Receives slides from Regional Lab and distributes slides to pathologist. Verifies accuracy of shipment.
  2. Files, including slides.
  3. Assists with stocking supplies and proper utilization of supplies.
  4. Mailing and distribution of report.
  5. Answering the telephone and responding to voicemail messages in a timely manner.
  6. According to established facility protocol, conducts daily morgue census; verifies if autopsy is required; and collects permit chart, etc. as assigned.
• E. Properly labels, stores, handles, and disposes reagents and hazardous wastes according to local, State and Federal regulations. This may include recycling or reprocessing of reagents used in the department/unit including neutralization of formaldehyde before disposing.
• F. May be assigned to train staff in all non-grossing duties.
• G. Other duties assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Compliance Accountability:

Grade 430

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• o Current pathology experience including assisting in receipt and processing surgical specimens.
• Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred.
• Good working knowledge of basic clinical laboratory and pathology terminology.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills necessary to work under time constraints.
• Ability to keep detailed records.
• Excellent attendance.
• Strong customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in working with customers, clinicians & coworkers.
• Basic computer keyboard skills & word processing of 20 wpm.
• Ability to function according to established policies and procedures under the general supervision, and, as applicable, direct supervision of a pathologist. Must be able to read, write and speak the English language.

Education

• Must have an AA in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology, or equivalent education with at least 60 semester hours including, at a minimum, six semester hours each of chemistry and biology and twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical technology in any combination from an accredited institution. OR Must have previously qualified or could have qualified as a laboratory medical technologist on or before February 28, 1992. OR On or before April 24, 1995 must have been a high school graduate or equivalent and have either graduated from a HHS approved medical laboratory training program or successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician).

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current pathology technical assistant experience preferred. Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred.