Pathologists' Assistant

Job Title

Provides advanced technical support in both surgical and autopsy pathology.

Job Description

Provides advanced technical support in both surgical and autopsy pathology. This includes the preparation and examination of tissue specimens, performance of specialized procedures, and active participation in the education and development of pathology residents, fellows, and pathologists' assistant students. Collaborates closely with pathologists and other medical professionals to ensure accurate and timely diagnostic information.

Job Responsibility

Provides instruction, supervision, and mentorship to residents, fellows, and pathologists' assistant students across all areas of practice, including surgical pathology, autopsy, biobanking, frozen section, intraoperative consultations, and laboratory operations. Emphasize best practices in specimen grossing, dissection, and tissue procurement for ancillary studies, while modeling accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to institutional and regulatory standards. Actively engage residents and students in case preparation, conferences, teaching sessions, and quality improvement initiatives to foster continuous learning, critical thinking, and professional development. Assists in the performance of an autopsy examination by ascertaining proper legal authorization; obtains and reviews the patient's chart and other clinical data and studies; initiates procedures when resolving problems related to proper clearance and consent for autopsy; confers with the pathologists to identify special techniques or procedures that are required (immunopathology, electron microscopy). Participates in post-mortem prosection, evisceration and subsequent dissection; obtains specimens for biological and toxicologic analysis; performs specialized procedures including frozen sections, histological procedures and special procedures; prepares tissue for frozen sections utilizing histologic procedures. Participates in conduct of frozen section examinations; selects and preserves tissue for special studies to include immunopathology, electron microscopy, special stains and flow cytometry; prepares and processes frozen section tissue in a timely manner consistent with standards. Prepares surgical pathology specimens; ensures appropriate specimen accessioning, pertinent clinical information and studies; dissects surgical specimens while describing the gross anatomic features and ensuring proper submission for histologic processing. Obtains and submits specimens for additional ancillary procedures (immunostaining, flow cytometry); dissects and processes frozen section specimens for evaluation by an Attending Pathologist; assists Pathologists with eviscerations and obtaining appropriate sections for microscopic examination. Photographs all pertinent gross specimens and microscopic slides; serves as liaison between the laboratory and staff physicians, lab sections and department heads; collaborates with hospital physicians, lab sections and department heads on pertinent matters in order to maintain quality service. Assists in the conduct of quality assurance within Pathology; monitors safety compliance; monitors quality/assurance activities and records. Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.

Job Qualification

Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent combination of education and related experience. Current License to practice as a Pathology Assistant required, plus specialized certifications as needed. 0-1 years of technical experience, required.