Pathologists' Assistant - Certified

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under 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).

Position: Pathologists' Assistant - Certified       

Department: Pathology Lab

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

 Surgical Pathology Services/ Frozen Section Service Support

• Assists in the preparation and performance of human surgical specimen dissection, including accessioning, gross description, fixation and processing.
• Performs gross description for large resection specimens such as colon and mastectomy specimens
• Ability to gross small neuro specimens and melanoma specimens
• Teach and mentor pathologist assistant students and grossing techs how to gross moderately complex and large resection cases
• Performs some duties of a Histotechnologist to include, organizing, processing, cutting frozen sections, staining, and otherwise preparing tissue for microscopic evaluation by the Pathologist.
• Obtains patient’s clinical history and tissue type for specimens missing this information.
• Maintains and updates autopsy and mortuary policy and procedures manuals to ensure compliance with CAP and Joint Commission accreditation standards, under direction of department manager.
• Administers 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 manager.
• Participates in removal of hazardous waste from laboratories to storage facility within the department.  Communicates with safety department as necessary.
• Exhibits an understanding and knowledge of: histologic tissue preparation, opening and embedding cassettes, slide labeling and coverslipping.
• Prepares chemicals and dyes for use in routine and special staining techniques of diagnostic specimens.
• Exhibits an understanding and knowledge of: routine histologic staining and set-up of frozen-section staining area; use of automated tissue staining equipment and operation and maintenance of automated coverslipper.
• Performs 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 basis.
• Cleans and maintains tissue processors
• Calibrates 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 equipment.
• Implements and understands the concepts of Universal Precautions, chemical hygiene, infection control and laboratory safety.
• Quality Control checks and temperature monitoring and documentation for laboratory equipment.

Mortuary Services Support

• Participates as a team member of the Decedent Affairs Office
• Receives deceased patients from hospital transport.
• Escorts deceased patients to hospital morgue for storage and places deceased patients into mortuary refrigerators.
• Accessions deceased patients.  Summarizes statistics of deceased patients on a monthly basis for department manager.
• Communicates on behalf of the Decedent Affairs Office with regard to death certificates and body release authorization forms.
• Communicates with funeral directors, hospital house staff, pathology staff, Medical Examiners office with regard to autopsies or body release.
• Ensures that documents regarding release of deceased patients (death certificates, release authorization forms) are accurate and complete.
• Ensures that the identity of the deceased patient has been confirmed, prior