Staff Pathologist Assistant, Sutter Joint Venture Cancer Center

LE0010 Stanford Health Care; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual education reimbursement up to $

Ongoing professional development

Free commuter benefits

Retirement matching

Job summary

Stanford Health Care is seeking a Staff Pathologists Assistant in Palo Alto to dissect tissue, prepare cassettes, and support intraoperative consultations. You will work with pathologists, educate residents, and contribute to tissue banking and research initiatives in a dynamic clinical setting.

The role involves radiography, autopsy-related tasks, and collaboration across departments to ensure diagnostic excellence and timely case submissions.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate and maintain medical equipment and apparatuses.
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions and interpret results.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to learn new procedures and adapt to technological changes in the laboratory.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of infection prevention policies and laboratory regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Dissect tissue specimens and place in cassettes for embedding, staining, and microscopic analysis.
• Assist in gross examination, dissection, and selection of representative tissue for microscopic examination.
• Provide intraoperative consultations and assist with specimen handling and radiography as needed.
• Preserve tissues for research, tissue bank, and education.
• Instruct residents, fellows, and students in gross room procedures and protocols.

Skills

Equipment operation

Data analysis

Communication

Following instructions

Adaptability

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline/field

Master's degree from accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program

Tools

ASCP Pathologist Assistant Certification

Job description

If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.

Day - 08 Hour (United States of America) Join Stanford Health Care as a Staff Pathologists Assistant and become a cornerstone of diagnostic excellence. You'll directly influence patient care through meticulous tissue dissection, cassetting for embedding, and intraoperative support. Work alongside expert pathologists, educate residents and trainees, contribute to tissue banking and research initiatives, and enjoy a dynamic, collaborative environment with opportunities for teaching, radiography, and specialized processing. We offer a rewarding pace, shared leadership in complex cases, and rotating weekend/off-site coverage that supports growth and balance.

Why Stanford Health Care?

• Career Growth
• Structured Surgical Technologist career ladder
• Continued compensation growth
• Annual education reimbursement of up to $2,000
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• World-Class Environment
• Top 10 nationally ranked academic medical center
• Level I Trauma Center
• Magnet-recognized organization
• State-of-the-art facilities and surgical technology
• Comprehensive Benefits
• One of the nation's top retirement matching and contribution programs
• Free commuter benefits
• Opportunities to work alongside internationally recognized physicians and clinical leaders.

If you're detail-oriented, thrive in a fast-paced clinical setting, and want meaningful roles in education, intraoperative support, and research collaboration, this is the position for you.

This is a Stanford Health Care job.

A Brief Overview

The Staff Pathologists Assistant (PA) dissects tissue specimens and provides dictated placement in plastic cassettes for embedding, staining, and microscopic analysis. This position includes coding and accessioning of specimens; processing breast and other complex tissue specimens according to established protocols; and instruction of residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in Gross Room protocols and processes, as well as specimen photography. This position is responsible for providing direct coverage and responding on a STAT basis to the frozen section room for all SHC operating rooms and performing intraoperative consultations. The PA is also responsible for assisting and preserving tissue from specimens for the Department of Pathology Tissue Bank, and other adult and pediatric research groups. This position prepares and performs specimen radiography of breast, bone, and soft tissue specimens. The PA is also responsible for providing weekend and off-site location coverage on a rotational basis.

Locations

Stanford Health Care

What you will do

• Accessions patient samples into the Laboratory information system(s).
• Checks all requests for proper and accurate patient information.
• Consults with Supervisor if request is problematic.
• Notifies physician, nursing unit, clinic, etc. if sample received is inappropriate or compromised.
• Completes a gross examination, dissection, and selection of representative tissue for microscopic examination for designated specimens. This includes weighing, measuring, and selectively photographing tissue specimens.
• Assists pathologists with orientation, training, and instruction and of trainees to procedures and techniques of basic specimen handling, gross dissection, and dictation of both simple and complex specimens as well as the use of equipment.
• Performs intraoperative consultations and fine needle aspiration (FNA) adequacies.
• Performs specimen radiographs for selective specimens.
• Preserves tissues for research, ancillary studies, and tissue bank.
• Communicates with physicians, nurses, visitors and other laboratory/ hospital staff in a cooperative and courteous manner.
• 8. Responds to their needs appropriately with minimal waiting time.
• Follows all departmental policies regarding attendance, punctuality and health and safety.
• Independently resolves problems encountered in routine work.
• Recognizes problems or requests which require Supervisor and/or Lead assistance when appropriate.
• Keeps current with all laboratory procedures, techniques, and changes in all areas of the laboratory through which they rotate.
• Meet competency standards of the department.
• Assists in routine and regularly scheduled preventive maintenance for all equipment and spaces according to established procedures.
• Expected behaviors include adaptability to change, collaboration toward common goals, self-motivation, and taking initiative.
• Expected communication skills involve active listening and proper email etiquette.
• Adheres to all Safety/Health regulatory and state/federal legal requirements and policies, operating procedures, and Services Standard of the Hospitals.
• Serves as a technical resource for faculty, residents, and other laboratory personnel.

Autopsy specific tasks:

• Autopsy dissections and measurements
• Assists in collection of specimens for laboratory and microscopic analysis
• Instructs residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in autopsy protocols and processes as well as specimen photography and radiology
• Responsible for preparing specimens for the teaching collection and various research tissue protocols
• Assists in maintenance and supply of the autopsy room
• Participates in administrative roles such as health and safety certification for the autopsy service

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university
• Master's degree from an accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program

Experience Qualifications

One (1) year of progressively responsible and directly related work experience preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability operate and maintain medical equipment and apparatuses
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions and interpret results
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to learn new procedures and adapt to technological changes in the laboratory
• Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to perform tasks according to prescribed procedures
• Ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Knowledge and technical proficiency in specialty areas assigned within the laboratory
• Knowledge of infection prevention policies and procedures
• Knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirements related to areas of functional responsibility
• Knowledge of mathematics general science and laboratory techniques

Licenses and Certifications

PA (ASCP) - Pathologist Assistant Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology within 180 Days

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Blood Borne Pathogens Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues These principles apply to ALL employees: SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford's patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery. You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars from the patient and family's perspective: Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $64.63 - $85.65 per hour The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.

With an unmatched track record of scientific discovery, technological innovation and translational medicine, Stanford Medicine physicians are pioneering leading edge therapies today that will change the way health care is delivered tomorrow.