Pathologists Assistant

The McLaren system includes 12 hospitals across the state, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 730-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 242,000 Michigan lives, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. McLaren has 20,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 93,000 network providers throughout Michigan.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of a pathologist provides technical assistance in all areas of anatomical pathology. Describes and examines surgical specimens, performs autopsy pro-section, obtains appropriate specimens for microscopic evaluation and describes findings. May assist in the preparation, processing and determination of needle aspirates and renal biopsies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Oversees the gross room, the frozen section area and morgue facilities.
2. Monitors the specimens as they arrive in the gross room and accessions specimens as needed. Performs routine gross dissection in consultation with the pathologist.
3. Assist in the preparation and dissection of human surgical specimens, including:
   • Assures appropriate specimen accessioning,
   • Obtains the clinical history including scans, x-rays, laboratory data, etc.,
   • Describes gross anatomic features, dissects surgical specimens and prepares tissues for processing,
   • Obtains biological specimens for analysis (blood cultures, viral cultures, toxicological material, flow cytometry, image analysis, etc.) and performs special procedures such as coronary artery perfusion studies, tumor triage, and faxitron,
   • Photographs pertinent specimens and microscopic slides as directed.
4. Assists in the preparation and performance of human postmortem examinations, including:
   • Ascertains proper legal authorization for autopsy,
   • Retrieves patient’s chart and other pertinent data for review,
   • Confers with the pathologist(s) to identify the special techniques and procedures required (e.g., histochemical, immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral or electron microscopic suites, cultures, smears, etc.) and notifies all personnel directly involved,
   • Notifies the physician in charge, the funeral home liaison, and other authorities prior to the dissection to coordinate special requests for specimen sampling,
   • Performs postmortem examinations, which may include: external examination, in situ organ inspections, evisceration dissection and dictation or recording of data and gross anatomic findings,
   • In collaboration with the pathologists(s), selects and prepares gross tissue sections,
   • Obtains biological specimens for analysis (blood cultures, viral cultures, toxicological material, etc.) and upon direction for special procedures,
   • Photographs body, organs, microscopic slides, and other relative materials,
   • May assist in assembling data necessary for the preparation of the preliminary summarization of the clinical history,
   • Assists in the release of the body to the correct mortuary, following proper restoration and indicating any biohazards that may be present.
5. Maintains laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
6. Conserves laboratory resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
7. Prepares reports of technological findings by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information.
8. May perform duties related to the administrative maintenance of surgical pathology protocols, reports and data including filing of reports, protocols, photographic and microscopic slides and assuring completion of coding.
9. Responsible for assuring proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies, and cleanliness of the surgical pathology suite.
10. May assist in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.
11. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
12. Maintains safe and clean working environment and protects patients and employees by adhering to infection‑control, hazardous waste and other policies and protocols.
13. Performs other related duties as required and directed.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a Pathology Assistant Program OR completion of a post‑bachelor’s program from an approved school of pathology OR Bachelor of Science with background in physiology and anatomy and three years of pathology experience.
• Pathologist Assistant Certification, or eligible to take the Pathologist Assistant Certification exam and must be certified within 18 months of hire or transfer.

Preferred:

• Previous experience assisting with gross description and dissection of surgical tissue.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Part‑time
• Requisition ID: 26011961
• Daily Work Times: 09:00AM - 18:00PM
• On Call: No

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McLaren Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, height or weight, protected veteran or other classification protected by law.

McLaren Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, sex, marital status,national origin, disability, genetic information, height or weight, protected veteran or other classificationprotected by law.