Pathologists' Assistant (PA)

Overview

Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is currently recruiting Pathologists' Assistants to support the VA San Diego Healthcare System located at 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161. The services will be delivered on a Per Diem basis, scheduled in advance (normally in 4-hour blocks). The services will focus on the performance of autopsies, but grossing duties may be required on occasion. An exceptional Per Diem hourly pay rate is available for this position.

Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing Federal customers with solutions in many arenas. Our customers face wide-ranging challenges in the fields of national security, health care, and information technology. To address these challenges, we employ intelligent and committed staff who take care of our customers’ success as if it is their own.

Responsibilities

• Assists in all aspects of anatomic pathology.
• Performs specialized tests including histochemical and immunohistochemical stains and cytometry and interpreting the results. Researches, evaluates, orders, and implements new equipment and procures related supplies. Photographs for teaching purposes. Investigates and resolves problems related to Anatomic Pathology. Performs SNOMED and other required Anatomic pathology workload coding. Adjusts work procedures and routines to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level.
• Laboratory Inspection: Reviews regulatory criteria, ensuring all procedures and protocols are maintained up to date with regulatory criteria, prepares work areas for inspection, and participate in the inspection process.
• Plays a leading role in the education and training of residents in pathology, other medical specialties, and medical students, regarding the practice of Anatomic Pathology and autopsy. Provides instruction at the bench and through discussion or relevant topics. Evaluates, selects, organizes, and adapts educational, training and resource materials for teaching programs. Creates special study rotations to introduce new technologies and process.
• Continuing medical education: Teaches other health care workers including technicians, technologists, nurses, students and administrative personnel about Anatomic Pathology.
• Protocol development: Under the supervision of pathologist participates in the development of Anatomic pathology protocols.
• Quality Assurance: Assists in the collection, reporting and interpretation of data for Anatomic Pathology QA programs, participates in the PALMS QA committee, making recommendations as needed, and directs and implements quality improvement initiatives approved by the committee.
• Orientation and training: Participates in the orientation and training of new employees, residents, and students.
• Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of every type of surgical pathology specimen.
• Provides description of tissue received from surgery including noting size, color, consistency and anatomic orientation.
• Cuts specimens to present optimal specimen detection for microscopic examination, pathologic diagnosis and cancer staging.
• Removes and dissects visceral organs, brain and spinal cord in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or atomic variation.
• Performs autopsies, with or without an autopsy assistant by correlating of the gross pathology with the patient’s clinical presentation, preparation of external and internal descriptions.
• Prepares the body for pickup by a funeral home; orders special studies (e.g., cultures, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, electron microscopy), and provide interpretation.
• Prepares frozen tissue sections and other tissue sections within or outside of the histology department.
• Performs on complex instruments such as cryostat, cameras, and automatic tissue processor, IHC, which including technical and mechanical indicators of malfunction, sufficient to locate and correct errors.
• Maintains regulatory compliance including reviews regulatory criteria, ensuring all procedures and protocols are maintained up to date with regulatory criteria.
• Oversees the morgue for adherence to facility and regulator safety, quality control and privacy regulations.
• Acts as a key contact person for pathologists, grossing and histology staff to identify problem areas and recommend changes to workflow.
• Provides an interpretation of the patient cases to the anatomic pathology supervisor and pathologists.
• Perform and document quality control, quality assurance and corrective actions related to test performance using sound statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• Enters and verifies laboratory results in the computer system. Recognize deviations from expected results; analyze and correct problems using scientific principles.
• Performs other duties as assigned relating to the responsibilities of pathology assistant.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position.
• Graduated from a National Accrediting agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited Pathologist's Assistant training program and/or a current Fellow of the American Association of Pathologist's Assistants (AAPA).
• A current license/certification with either AAPA, ASCP, or a designated Department of Health.
• A current CV which identifies the provider’s education and professional qualifications commensurate with the position for which they are being offered to perform.
• At least one year of Pathologists’ Assistant experience is required. VA experience is desirable.
• No sponsorship available 

Pay Range: $37.60 - $65.00 hourly

All candidates must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift
• Lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist
• Lift up to 20 lbs
• Carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance
• Push/pull with 30 lbs of force

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.