Pathology Assistant

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Job Description

Pathology Assistant

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Lab Director and Associate Pathologist, the Pathology Assistant will assist in the preparation of human surgical specimens and perform other assigned duties in order to ensure optimal patient care and the safety and efficiency of the Pathology Department.

Responsibilities

• Accurately and efficiently provides gross descriptions of all surgical specimens
• Competent and adept in the use of Dragon Voice recognition
• Independently troubleshoots issues with Dragon Voice
• Creates new templates for dictation for Dragon Voice
• Accurately and efficiently dissects tissue and puts the tissue into a properly labelled cassette for processing
• Accurately and efficiently prints cassettes as needed
• Accurately and efficiently completes worksheets for each specimen
• Ensures specimen comments, which include IHC, special stains, and levels are transcribed correctly onto the specimen worksheets
• Accurately and efficiently performs frozen sections with staining and delivery of frozen section slides within the acceptable time limits
• Prepares touch preps and stains the slides as needed
• Provides high quality photographs of gross specimens and microscopic slides
• Provides high quality digital pictures with diagrams as needed for complicated cases and delivers specimens to radiology for new images
• Efficiently delivers tissue, hardware or other foreign bodies to doctors' offices or directly to patients as needed
• Willingly assists in the printing of proofs of dictation and other patient's information as needed
• Loads the specimens on the processor as needed

Gross Room Quality Control and Equipment Maintenance

• Correctly performs all required daily and monthly instrument processes according to department specific scales and protocols
• Effectively troubleshoots and resolves quality control failures and instrument failures
• Independently contacts technical service representatives when required to resolve problems
• Ensures that the fume hood is functioning properly at all times
• Maintains an adequate supply of inventory at all times
• Ensures that the grossing room is kept clean and organized
• Ensures that there is appropriate monitoring of all temperature-dependent equipment
• Ensures there is proper management and labeling of the chemicals and the chemical hazardous waste

Team Skills

• Participates daily in the team effort to efficiently complete all required department work within the appropriate time interval
• Constructively analyzes work processes and contributes to the team effort to improve workflow as needed
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and willingly adjusts as change is needed
• Actively participates in committee's/task force team meetings as assigned
• Attends and participates in all department meetings, reads minutes and completes assigned follow-up tasks within the required deadline
• Demonstrates flexibility in resolving scaling issues
• Trains new employees by accurately conveying information on policies and processes of the department
• Verifies their work until they are able to work independently
• Supports department initiatives with technical knowledge, active participation in work groups and education for other departments
• Acknowledges supervisory roles of the managerial and medical staff of the laboratory
• Works with both managers and pathologists in ensuring good patient care, efficient workflow and the safety of themselves and others

Administrative

• Readily assists in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences; participates as required
• Readily assists in the preparation of documents and tissue for send-out cases as needed
• Assists the pathologists in the preparation for accreditation inspections
• Writes technical processes as needed in accordance with established technical guidelines
• Readily performs other tasks as assigned or directed by the manager

Safety

• Keeps work area disinfected by washing surfaces with appropriate disinfectant at frequent intervals
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Bloodborne Pathogen Control Plan
• Adheres to universal precautions at all times
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Uses appropriate safety attire and devices according to guidelines
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of disaster responses and all other laboratory and CHA safety policies
• Demonstrates adequate competency in response to fire drills, chemical spill drills, and infectious spill drills
• Has no failed drills
• Successfully completes annual review training in Safety and Risk Management within designated time period
• Demonstrates techniques to minimize exposure to formalin fume exposure and passes formalin badge testing annually

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Baccalaureate degree. Degree in biomedical or health sciences preferred. Completion of NAACLS accredited Pathologist's Assistant program required; Masters degree in Health Science preferred.
• Current Pathologist's Assistant certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology is required and must be maintained in good status throughout employment.
• New certified graduates acceptable but 3 or more years experience in a clinical pathology setting preferred. Must have dictation experience; experience with Voice recognition preferred. Must have some experience with pathology computer systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology
• Knowledge of Universal precautions, chemical safety guidelines, and basic laboratory safety
• Knowledge of gross pathology
• Must be fluent in the English language
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends, and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities and play an integral role in improving health.

As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues and conduct important research to help face barriers to care.

We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in how they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time.

It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities for employees.

The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, passionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in how you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.