Surgical Pathology Assistant I - Banner Gateway at Sonora Quest Gilbert, AZ

JIT Global Freight Solution P Ltd; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health's Surgical Pathology-Gateway is hiring a Surgical Pathology Assistant I in Gilbert, AZ. You will assist with tissue and cytology specimen handling, triage, and coordination with pathologists.

This role supports frozen sections, autopsies, and various procedures, requiring good communication, organization, and computer skills. Day shift expectations and lab environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• At least 6 months of medical laboratory experience in specimen handling.
• Good communication, comprehension and typing skills.
• Knowledge of common pathology concepts, practices and procedures.
• Experience showing increasing responsibility in people interaction and organization.
• Strong oral/written communication, analytical skills, and ability to use Word/Excel.

Responsibilities

• Receives, accession, and labels specimens and paperwork with proper identification.
• Assists with frozen sections by operating a cryostat and preparing samples for diagnosis.
• Assists with autopsies by ensuring supplies and proper documentation.
• Assists with fine-needle aspirations and bone marrow procedures.
• Triages calls and documents specimen-related issues in Surgical Pathology procedures.
• Maintains equipment, staining protocols, filing systems, and tissue storage.

Skills

Strong communication

Oral and written communication

Typing

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate of Arts degree (preferred)

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Surgical Pathology Assistant I - Banner Gateway job at Sonora Quest, Gilbert, AZ

Primary City/State: Gilbert, Arizona
Department Name: Surgical Pathology-Gateway
Work Shift: Day
Job Category: Lab
Base Pay: $20.25 per hour

Position Summary

This position involves receiving and triaging tissue and cytology specimens, supporting frozen sections, bone marrows, fine needle aspirations, autopsies, and various procedures. It requires clerical support, equipment maintenance, and collaboration with pathologists and associated staff.

Core Functions

1. Receives, accession, and labels specimens and paperwork, ensuring proper identification and specimen integrity. Documents issues using proper protocol, performs computer and clerical functions for all surgical and cytology specimens, assists pathologists with set‑up functions, prints cassettes, and prepares containers for shipment with accompanying paperwork and routing slip.
2. Assists with frozen sections by operating a cryostat with correct settings, temperatures, alignments, and knife angles for optimum sectioning; accession, processes, cuts, and stains fresh samples for diagnosis; calls the appropriate physicians for results; stamps and records all specimens for turnaround time; transfers tissue to the corresponding cassette and places it in formalin; handles frozen section permanent specimens per protocol.
3. Assists with autopsies by ensuring all required supplies (including restocking) are available in the morgue; reviews paperwork and documentation, ensuring it is properly completed before autopsy; accession autopsy cases and prepares cassettes and containers.
4. Assists with procedures (fine‑needle aspirations, bone marrow, following site procedures) using required accessioning, labeling, and preparation for transport skills.
5. Provides clerical assistance, triaging phone calls to the correct pathologist or staff, troubleshoots and documents all specimen‑related problems in the Surgical Pathology procedures.
6. Maintains equipment, staining protocols, slide and block filing systems, retained tissue specimens, and related materials removed in surgery; regularly fills out maintenance sheets as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 6 months of previous medical laboratory experience in specimen handling.
• Good communication, comprehension, and typing skills.
• Significant understanding and knowledge of common concepts, practices, and procedures within the Pathology field.
• Experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in personnel interaction and organizational skills.
• Strong oral/written communication, analytical/strategic skills, ability to use Word and Excel, and ability to prioritize and multitask.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional related education and/or experience.
• Associate of Arts degree.

EEO Statement

Banner Health is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/Disabled/Veterans, EOE/Female/Minority/Disability/Veterans. The organization supports a drug‑free work environment.