Pathologists' Assistant

Make a difference behind the scenes.

At Physicians Laboratory, every specimen tells a story—and you can help make sure that story is accurate, timely, and vital to patient care. We’re looking for a Pathologists' Assistant who thrives on precision, teamwork, and purpose. If you’re reliable, sharp-eyed, and ready to grow in the medical laboratory field, this role is a perfect fit.

About the Role
As a Pathologists’ Assistant, you will provide service in anatomic pathology under the direction and indirect supervision of a qualified pathologist who is responsible for the performance of the assistant. The Pathologists' Assistant does not diagnose.

What You’ll Do

Surgical Pathology:

• Ensure cases are accessioned properly, maintaining proper patient identification at all times.
• Review relevant clinical data, laboratory results, and imaging as appropriate.
• Perform gross examination, dissection, and description of surgical specimens under a pathologist’s supervision; select and submit representative tissue samples for microscopic analysis.
• Prepare specimens for specialized studies, including immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and tissue culture, as required.
• Process and prepare frozen section specimens for intraoperative consultation.
• Document findings with specimen and case photography for clinical records, consultations, or conferences.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the supervising pathologist

Autopsy Pathology:

• Ensure proper identification and chain of custody for the decedent.
• Verify completion and proper authorization of autopsy permits.
• Review autopsy requests and the patient’s medical history with the pathologist prior to the procedure.
• Conduct postmortem dissections under direct supervision and review findings with the pathologist.
• Select and submit appropriate tissue samples for microscopic examination, as directed.
• Photograph specimens and organs as indicated for documentation and teaching.
• Perform additional duties or special studies as requested by the supervising pathologist

Qualifications

• Graduation from a NAACLS-accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program (typically two years in duration) leading to a master’s degree in Health Science or a closely related field is required. Current programs include, but are not limited to, those offered by:

  Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT)

  Duke University (Durham, NC)

  University of Maryland (Baltimore, MD)

  Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)

  Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)

  Rosalind Franklin University (Chicago, IL)

  University of Western Ontario (London, ON, Canada)

  West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)

  Loma Linda University (Loma Linda, CA)

  University of Calgary (Calgary, AB, Canada)

  University of Toledo (Toledo, OH)

  Eastern Virginia Medical School (Norfolk, VA).

  Certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Pathologists’ Assistant is required. Candidates who are board-eligible must obtain certification within one year of hire as a condition of continued employment.

  For Pathologists’ Assistants who completed their education prior to 2005, eligibility for professional recognition includes successful completion of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) fellowship examination, which served as the primary credentialing pathway before the establishment of national certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in 2005. Applicants with AAPA fellowship status or equivalent recognized credentialing are considered qualified, provided they meet institutional requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits including:
• • 401(k)
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Paid time off