Pathology Specialist I, Surgical Grossing Room

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

 

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Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Technical Supervisor of Surgical Pathology, the Surgical Pathology Specialist processes a full range of non-complex* human surgical pathology specimens in a high-volume academic setting. Responsibilities include triaging and accessioning all specimen types received in the Surgical Grossing Room, serving as the first line of quality control during the accessioning process by troubleshooting specimens with insufficient documentation or required clinical information, and providing instruction to resident trainees on non-complex specimen handling. Additional duties include assisting with other technical and administrative tasks in the laboratory.

*Non-complex specimens are defined by the Anatomic Pathology Medical Director as clinical biopsies, including but not limited to gastrointestinal, cardiac, breast, renal, dermatologic, and bone and soft tissue specimens.

 

Qualifications

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Specimen Processing

  • Gross description and processing of non-complex surgical pathology specimens via direct transfer and/or minimal tissue sectioning.

  • Finalize gross description sections of surgical pathology reports and review case materials with medical staff when required.

• Quality Control

  • Maintain diagnostic viability of specimens, ensuring correct patient labeling and adherence to regulatory standards.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues with specimens lacking documentation or clinical information.

• Tissue Management

  • Appropriately triage tissue for various types of fixation or special studies.

  • Assist senior staff in acquiring tissue for departmental purposes, including clinical studies, teaching, and research.

• Data Management

  • Verify and enter patient medical record information into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).

  • Assign surgical pathology accession numbers, confirm patient charge information, and ensure accuracy through quality checks.

• Resident Training and Cross Coverage

  • Provide instruction for pathology residents on surgical pathology techniques.

  • Orient and train medical residents, students, and less advanced technicians in Pathology Gross Room procedures.

  • Cross-cover for the Women’s and Perinatal Pathology Specialist on non-complex specimens.

• Administrative and Safety Duties

  • Respond to inquiries regarding surgical specimens and related information.

  • Maintain a clean and organized workspace in compliance with all safety regulations.

  • Adhere to department policies, including quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.

• Additional Responsibilities

  • Rotate Saturday coverage for grossing surgical specimens.

  • Follow all Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals and Brigham and Women’s Hospital policies.

  • Perform other duties as directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in biology, chemistry, or a related field.

• Minimum of one year of experience in grossing surgical specimens preferred.

Skills, Abilities, and Competencies Required

• Strong time management and organizational skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the clinical field and medical terminology.

• Analytical skills with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

• Strong interpersonal skills and verbal communication abilities.

 

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a world-class academic medical center based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Brigham serves patients from New England, across the United States and from 120 countries around the world. A major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital has a legacy of clinical excellence that continues to grow year after