Pathology Assistant - ND

Pathology Assistant - Pathology at Altru (Grand Forks, ND)

ASCP Certified or ASCP exam ready with certification prior to start date required. Completion of NAACLS Accredited Pathologists' Assistant Program preferred. Prior Grossing experience preferred.

Job Description Summary:

The Pathology Assistant (PA), under the direct or indirect supervision of a Pathologist, assists in the preparation and performance of surgical specimen and frozen section dissections and completes accurate gross description dictation. The PA actively participates in problem solving, quality assurance, quality control monitoring, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting. The assistant is required to perform additional department duties that support the delivery of a high quality product to pathologists, department operations and overall excellence in patient care. This position requires high level customer service skills to establish and enhance positive relationships with pathologists, co-workers, providers and others.

Job Description:

Maintains accuracy of patient identification on all specimens processed for microscopic examination. Performs surgical specimen dissection on simple to complex specimens and provides quality material for routine histology studies and other specialized tests as required. Obtains pathologist input for accurate gross specimen analysis when appropriate. Performs frozen sections and maintains the cryostats. Dictates complete and accurate gross description. Demonstrates effective communication skills as in person and virtually to provide timely result reporting by interacting with pathologist and providers in an accurate, professional manner. Ensures proper maintenance of equipment, adequate provision of supplies, and cleanliness of the surgical pathology gross cutting area and morgue. Disposes of tissues and reagents according to standard operating procedures. Performs, interprets and reports tests for which the individual has been validated according to standard operating procedure. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to interpret the various clinical presentations of disease and technical elements of testing and applies such knowledge in conjunction with the laboratory test findings to affect a timely and accurate diagnostic result. Understands technical aspects of Anatomic Pathology, recognizes reasons for discrepant test results and takes appropriate corrective action to facilitate quality results. Performs and documents quality control and routine preventive maintenance processes. Keeps gross bench procedure manual current along with review of CAP compliance. Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.