PATHOLOGY SEND-OUT ASSISTANT - PER DIEM

Job Description

Job Description

General Summary

The Pathology Laboratory Assistant works closely with pathologists, histotechnologists, and administrative staff to support daily anatomic pathology operations. This role assists in the receipt, accessioning, processing, and routing of histology specimens, ensuring proper handling and accurate identification to support high-quality patient care and diagnostic accuracy. The Laboratory Assistant supports histology workflows including embedding, processing, staining, and slide preparation, as well as send-out coordination, documentation, and tracking of consults and additional studies. This position also performs clerical and administrative duties such as answering phones, faxing reports and information, maintaining files, updating CAP inspection binders, managing inventory and supplies, receiving and organizing deliveries, and ensuring work areas and equipment are clean and properly maintained. The individual must effectively prioritize workload, work collaboratively within the department, and demonstrate attention to detail while using laboratory equipment and computer systems. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Consistently arrives at work on time and adheres to regular work schedule.
• Collects and accessions specimens daily, including proper accessioning of cytopathology specimens.
• Performs histology procedures on specimens, including embedding, processing, staining (routine H&E), and coverslipping.
• Coordinates, sends, and tracks all consults, second opinions, and send-out testing, including FISH, special stains, and IHC, ensuring complete documentation, proper packaging, and timely shipment.
• Tracks send-out cases for consults, FISH, special stains, and IHC testing; monitors turnaround times and follows up on outstanding results.
• Ensures all required requisitions, reports, and supporting documentation for send-out testing are complete, accurate, and properly filed.
• Communicates with reference laboratories, couriers, and physician offices regarding send-out testing status, requirements, and results.
• Performs chemical hazardous waste disposal according to current operating policies and procedures.
• Files patient blocks and slides for storage in accordance with departmental policy.
• Performs clerical functions and labels bottles, cassettes, and slides as required.
• Loads and unloads staining instrumentation and assists with routine laboratory workflow.
• Works with fellow team members to properly triage specimens and efficiently move samples through all phases of testing.
• Faxes information to physician offices and clinics as requested and according to departmental policy.
• Receives, opens, and distributes incoming packages and shipments; verifies contents, puts away supplies, and routes items to appropriate areas.
• Maintains laboratory equipment, ensures areas are properly stocked with supplies, performs inventory counts, and ensures workspace cleanliness.
• Cleans equipment and small instruments; performs simple inspection and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Conducts routine quality control checks on equipment (e.g., temperature monitoring and documentation).
• Performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties, including answering telephones, maintaining records, responding to inquiries from other departments, communicating with external staff or sources, and relaying messages to appropriate personnel.
• Proofreads pathology reports for accuracy, completeness, and formatting.
• Assists with end-of-day case review to verify testing completion and report status.
• Reviews pathology cases for appropriate CPT code capture at the end of the day and communicates missing or discrepant charges to appropriate personnel.
• Assists with finalizing pathology reports by confirming receipt of send-out results, verifying. 
• Assists with CAP inspection readiness, including organizing documentation, maintaining inspection materials, and updating departmental binders with current policies and procedures.
• Follows policies and procedures for storage length and proper disposal of blocks, slides, surgical specimens, requisitions, and reports.
• Performs tasks involved with creating slides and/or cell blocks.
• Assists in cytology adequacy assessments as directed.
• Prepares specimens for analysis, including manual processing (centrifugation, aliquoting, and routine maintenance).
• Maintains accurate logs and records related to send-out testing, CPT review, CAP documentation, and finalized reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned by their supervisor.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by management to support departmental and operational needs.

Other Essential Duties May Include but Are Not Limited To

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Required:

• Consistently arrives at work in appropriate/professional attire.

• Completes all tasks within established time frame.
• Adheres to all clinic policies and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Able to adapt to different working environments. 
• Seeks appropriate tasks when primary tasks are completed and assists co-workers as needed.
• Demonstrates adaptability to expanded roles.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred:

• 1 to 2 years of lab experience.