job posting

Pathology Assistant

Location: Palo Alto   |   Work Location: On-site   |   Contract Type: Full-Time   |   Job Category: Allied Health   |   Salary Range: up to $80.00/hr

A Pathologist Assistant (PA) is involved in the dissection and preparation of tissue samples for further analysis. They place tissue specimens into cassettes for processing, which includes embedding, staining, and microscopic examination. They also assign codes to specimens for tracking purposes. This role includes following established protocols, particularly with breast and other tissue specimens, and guiding residents, fellows, and medical students in lab procedures and specimen photography.

Additionally, PAs are responsible for handling urgent frozen section procedures, which involve quickly processing tissue samples during surgeries. They also contribute to maintaining educational resources, such as specimen catalogs and a tissue bank, and perform radiographic imaging of various specimen types. Weekend and off-site coverage is often part of the role, handled on a rotational basis.

Responsibilities

  1. Provides detailed descriptions of tissue samples and hardware for record-keeping.
  2. Dissects tissue samples, following standard protocols.
  3. Guides residents, fellows, and medical students in tissue dissection methods.
  4. Conducts frozen section procedures during surgeries for immediate analysis.
  5. Takes radiographs of selected specimens for further examination.
  6. Preserves tissues for additional studies and storage in a tissue bank.
  7. Maintains a departmental tissue library by preserving key specimens.
  8. Selects and prepares tissue sections for embedding, staining, and microscopic study.
  9. Measures, weighs, and photographs tissue specimens as necessary.
  10. Assesses fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples for adequacy.

Autopsy-related Responsibilities:

  1. Performs autopsies, including dissections and measurements.
  2. Assists in collecting samples for laboratory analysis and microscopic evaluation.
  3. Trains residents, fellows, and medical students on autopsy protocols and specimen documentation.
  4. Prepares specimens for educational collections and research protocols.
  5. Helps maintain the autopsy room and ensures it is adequately supplied.
  6. Engages in administrative duties, including health and safety compliance for autopsy services.

Qualifications

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
  • Licenses and Certifications
    • PA (ASCP) – Pathologist Assistant Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology .
    • • Unlicensed/new graduates must take and pass the ASCP Certification Exam prior to their start date. A letter on official letterhead must be provided by the Program Director stating that the PA has passed the exam. o The official documentation of certification from the ASCP must be submitted to the departmental supervisor within 90 days. .

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