Lead Pathologist Assistant: Surgical Grossing Room

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Under the combined supervision of the medical director and supervisor of the cutting room, the Pathologist Assistant assists in the gross description and dissection of all types of tissues sent to the surgical pathology laboratory for analysis, including high- complexity specimens. Pathologist Assistants are an integral part of the resident training by educating pathology residents in proper dissection of surgical pathology specimens and appropriate submission of tissues for microscopic analysis thereby ensuring standardization of specimen processing and patient safety.

Lead Pathologists Assistant Expectations:
1. Performs the full scope of Pathologists’ Assistant duties, including gross examination, dissection, and specimen preparation (see Additional Responsibilities Below)
2. Serves as a resource and point of contact for technical staff, trainees, and physicians within the assigned area.
3. Provides guidance, training, and performance feedback to staff.
4. Supports workflow efficiency, problem resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
5. Assists in maintaining regulatory compliance, documentation, and quality assurance standards.
6. Participates in development, revision, and implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices.

Additional lead responsibilities will vary based on the assigned lead role (e.g., Gross Room Lead, Autopsy Lead, and Education Lead). Please refer to the role-specific duty list associated with the respective lead assignment.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities – Lead Pathologist Assistant:

Autopsy

The role involves coordinating and supporting autopsy services, including participation in PA hiring, serving as a liaison between staff and residents, and overseeing autopsy suite operations. Responsibilities include training residents and PA students, developing and implementing SOPs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, maintaining cleanliness and supplies in the autopsy suite, and ensuring proper documentation and tissue discard.

Autopsy Lead Pathologists’ Assistant plays a key leadership role in the autopsy service, participating in hiring decisions, mentoring pathology residents and PA students, and serving as a liaison between residents, pathologists, and technical staff. This role includes developing and implementing daily instructional plans, orienting new personnel, and overseeing autopsy suite operations. The Senior PA is responsible for drafting and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs), reviewing quality control data, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Additional responsibilities include managing autopsy tissue disposition, maintaining cleanliness and supplies, and ensuring accurate documentation through the “Morgue Documentation” system. Performs all other duties as assigned to support excellence in autopsy service delivery.

Education

The Senior Pathologists’ Assistant supports training and educational efforts by developing onboarding schedules and daily instructional plans for pathology residents and PA students. They serve as a key liaison between PA students, staff, and PA schools, providing mentorship, feedback, and coordination. This role also contributes to the hiring process, assists with onboarding, and ensures effective communication and collaboration among all team members. Helps supervisor with onboarding of PA students. Create onboarding training schedule for residents and PA students 

Surgical Grossing Room

The Lead Pathologists’ Assistant oversees the surgical grossing room’s operations, ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include developing staff schedules, participating in hiring and performance evaluations, and serving as a liaison between PAs, pathologists, and technical staff. The Lead PA develops and implements standard operating procedures, responds to safety concerns, prepares for inspections, and facilitates weekly team meetings to support effective communication and workflow.

Additional Responsibilities – Pathologist Assistant:

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of this position.

1. Dictate gross descriptions and dissects all types of surgical specimens (type, size, weight color and anatomic characteristics), including high-complexity specimens. (essential)

2. Selects appropriate tissue sections for microscopic examination Understands the appropriate sections necessary for pathologic diagnosis, staging tumors, margin evaluation, and lymph no