Pathology Assistant

Pathologist AssistantUnder the general supervision of a Pathologist or the Managing Pathologist Assistant, accessions, prepare and performance of human specimen (and animal if research) dissection and postmortem (necropsy) examination. Provides technical support to pathology department pathologist and pathology residents (specimen dissection, provision of paperwork, supplies etc.). Provides technical and logistical support to the laboratories as needed, specifically histology, immunohistochemistry and frozen section services. Maintains cleanliness and infection control in surgical pathology dissection suites, mortuary and autopsy facility. Provides support services to the Decedent Affairs Office as required. Assists physicians in the preparation of death certificates and related paperwork (autopsy permission, reporting to New England Organ Bank).Essential Responsibilities/Duties:Surgical Pathology Services/Frozen Section Service SupportPerforms gross description for large resection specimens such as colon and mastectomy specimensAbility to gross small neuro specimens and melanoma specimensTeaches and mentors pathologist assistant students and grossing techs how to gross moderately complex and large resection casesPerforms some duties of a Histotechnologist to include, organizing, processing, cutting frozen sections, staining, and otherwise preparing tissue for microscopic evaluation by the PathologistMaintains and updates autopsy and mortuary policy and procedures manuals to ensure compliance with CAP and Joint Commission accreditation standards, under direction of department managerAdministers the daily operation of the surgical pathology dissection suite. Cleans and disinfects work area, inventories and stocks supplies. Monitors and cleans instruments and equipment (fume hoods, cryostats etc)Assists with materials management within the department. Collects and co-ordinates delivery of consumable supplies and equipment to laboratories and satellite offices. Monitors inventory of store room under the direction of the laboratory supervisor and/or department managerParticipates in removal of hazardous waste from laboratories to storage facility within the department. Communicates with safety department as necessaryPerforms accurate labeling and filing of slides and blocks. Records statistical data (e.g., number of cases, blocks, slides, stains) and tests results on a daily basisCleans and maintains tissue processorsCalibrates and maintains laboratory equipment. Reports malfunctioning equipment to supervisor and maintains daily log of equipment performance. Assists with equipment delivery. Performs preventative maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory equipmentImplements and understands the concepts of Universal Precautions, chemical hygiene, infection control and laboratory safetyQuality Control checks and temperature monitoring and documentation for laboratory equipmentMortuary Services SupportReceives deceased patients from hospital transportEscorts deceased patients to hospital morgue for storage and places deceased patients into mortuary refrigeratorsAcctions deceased patients. Summarizes statistics of deceased patients on a monthly basis for department managerCommunicates on behalf of the Decedent Affairs Office with regard to death certificates and body release authorization formsCommunicates with funeral directors, hospital house staff, pathology staff, Medical Examiners office with regard to autopsies or body releaseEnsures that documents regarding release of deceased patients (death certificates, release authorization forms) are accurate and completeEnsures that the identity of the deceased patient has been confirmed, prior to release, by correlating the death certificate with patient name tag, wrist band, toe tag etcCommunicates with families of deceased patients. Assists and guides with issues pertaining to the mortuary serviceOrganizes and assists with deceased patient viewing. Prepares deceased for viewing by family. Operates video monitoring equipmentSchedules and performs release of bodies to funeral directors. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and/or livery services. Keeps appropriate records of these transactionsCares for and distributes personal effects of deceased patients to appropriate departments (valuables, clothes etc)Cleans and disinfects morgue, morgue refrigerators, receiving areas and equipmentDiscards all biohazard and chemical waste in accordance with hospital policies and proceduresAutopsy AssistanceAscertains correct legal authorization for autopsy. Checks autopsy permission form to confirm accuracy and completenessRetrieves patient chart and medical record and any other pertinent dataConfers with pathologist to determine necessity for special specimen collection techniques and notifies all personnel involvedContacts pathology resident and pathologist on call, attending clinical physician listed on death certificate and all other authorities prior to beginning dissection. Coordinates special requests for organ samplingPerforms postmortem examination including; external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection and dictation or recording of data, i.e. organ weights, presence of body fluids and gross anatomic findingsCollaborates with pathologist to select and prepare gross tissue samples for frozen and permanent sectionsPhotographs and archives body, organs, microscope slides and other relevant materialCollates data for quality improvement indicators as directedOther DutiesGroups data for quality improvement indicators as directedUtilizes hospital's cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goalsFollows established hospital infection control and safety proceduresPerforms other duties as neededJob Requirements:Education Requirements: Graduate of an accredited pathology assistant program. Pathologist Assistant ASCP. Certification preferred but not required.Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Required: Pathologist Assistant PA(ASCP) Certification preferred.Experience: The minimum training/experience required of such personnel is: 1 to 2 years experience preferred.Masters of Health Science Pathologists Assistant Education/training equivalent to the above that includes the following:60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution. This education must include 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that includes six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination, AND Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLA, or other organization approved by HHS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), OR Minimum of three months of recorded laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.Knowledge and Skills:Demonstrated accuracy and precision with accessioning, gross description, fixation and processing of human surgical specimen dissections. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information required.