Job Description

Job Title: Pathologists’ Assistant

Department: Grossing Room, Mission Viejo Campus, LPMG Division

Reports To: Site Manager and Pathologists

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary

Responsible for performing routine examination and dissection of surgical specimens and fetal autopsy cases in association with the attending pathologist, as directed by the Medical Director, in compliance with CLIA and state regulations, and the policies and procedures of Mission Laguna Pathology Medical Group, its divisions and any facilities serviced by the pathologists. This includes performing clear, complete and concise gross examination and dictation, preparing specimen orientation diagrams, assisting pathologists with frozen sections and other operating room consultations, attending meetings, initiating and maintaining effective and appropriate communications with inter- and intra-department persons, and other similar or related duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Perform all Pathologists’ Assistant duties in accordance with laboratory procedures and federal and state regulations, and as directed by the Medical Director.

· Perform routine examination and dissection under supervision of the attending pathologist, to include:

o Verify proper specimen identification;

o Assure appropriate specimen accessioning and billing;

o Obtain clinical history, lab data, and radiographic and similar material when indicated;

o Dictate gross description and complete surgical dissection of appropriate surgical specimens, and prepare tissues for microscopic examination;

o Frozen section and operating room consultations;

o Sample specimens for special analysis (e.g., culture, marker studies, cytogenetics, cytology imprints);

o Photograph all pertinent specimens both gross and microscopic.

· Assure proper maintenance of equipment, adequate supplies and cleanliness of the grossing room.

· Participate in quality control and quality assurance activities to include:

o Identification of indicators for quality assurance;

o Assist in the retrieval of information and analysis of the indicators;

o In-service operating room personnel and nursing regarding specimen handling, fixatives and requisitions.

o Participate in employer and hospital sponsored safety training.

o Participate in employer and hospital sponsored competency testing.

o Participate in laboratory accreditation activities, such as inspection preparation.

· Observes safety and infection control guidelines and procedures as established by laboratory management and required by law.

· Assist pathologists with tasks including, but not limited to, initiating, maintaining and/or responding to communications with and between pathologists, surgeons, co-workers and hospital staff, attending hospital committee meetings, and similar activities.

· Effectively interact with all levels of employees, hospital staff, surgeons, pathologists, client offices, administration and outside vendors, as needed.

· Responsible to make and/or keep appropriate documentation, related to the duties of the Pathologists’ Assistant, which are necessary to generate appropriate and accurate billing for services performed by the pathology department.

· Assists in training other grossing personnel by demonstrating necessary skills and procedures.

· Provide guidance and feedback to specimen receiving personnel, when appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position is responsible for coordinating work activities with one or more non-testing personnel (i.e., laboratory assistants, administrative assistants, histology technologists and technicians, etc.), in the performance of their duties as they relate to the work of the Pathologists’ Assistant.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytics & Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; synthesizes complex or diverse information; uses intuition and experience to complement information; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

Leadership – Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; inspires respect and trust; gives and welcomes feedback; provides vision and inspiration to peers; displays passion and optimism; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

1. Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university;

2. A Pathologists’ Assistant certificate from an accredited program evidencing the completion of a course of training as a Pathologists’ Assistant; ASCP certified.

3. Any additional qualifications as required by federal, state, and local laws and regulations and the requirements of all facilities in which the pathologists provide services.

Language Skills

· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

· Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

· Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

· Ability to apply mathematical operations in order to produce accurate gross examinations, including accurate linear measurements, measurements of weight and appropriate estimations of specimen quantity, size, weight, density and mass.

· Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

· Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

· Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

· Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

· Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

· Word Processing: Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook.

· Internet Software: Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc.

· Other Preferred: Epic Beaker, PowerPath.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Pathologists’ Assistant Certificate issued by an accredited institution; and maintenance of hospital ancillary staff privileges (i.e., hospital credentialing).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

• Pathology

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Grossing: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• PA(ASCP) certification (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Mission Viejo, CA 92691: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person