What are the responsibilities and job description for the LABORATORY ASSISTANT- HISTOLOGY LAB position at Cooper Norcross Health?
Cooper Norcross Health, formerly Cooper University Health Care, is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Norcross Medical School of Rowan University. Headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, Cooper Norcross Health has revenues of more than $3 billion and an A credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.
Cooper Norcross Health has nearly 14,000 team members, including more than 2,200 nurses, more than 1,200 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 700 advanced practice providers.
The health system operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as four hospitals – its 663-bed flagship Cooper Norcross University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper Norcross University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House, Children’s Hospital at Cooper Norcross Health in Camden, and The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, a substance abuse rehabilitation and inpatient treatment facility, in partnership with American Recovery Services.
Cooper Norcross University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals annual survey for eight years.
More than 2.54 million patients visit Cooper Norcross Health facilities annually. Its ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, seven urgent care centers, a wound care center, and more than 130 physician, physical therapy, and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore.
Cooper Norcross Health, a not-for-profit health system, was named one of America’s Best Large Employers for 2026 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation. Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.
Short Description
The Histology Laboratory Assistant provides specimen processing, gross room, histology, and administrative support to the Anatomic Pathology department. Through accurate specimen handling, documentation, slide and block management, and support of pathology workflows, this position helps ensure efficient diagnostic services and exceptional patient care throughout Cooper University Health Care.
- Receives, verifies, prioritizes, and accessions surgical pathology, biopsy, cytology, autopsy, and consultation specimens. Reviews specimen labeling and requisitions for completeness, resolves discrepancies, maintains specimen identification throughout processing, monitors surgical schedules, and maintains required logs and documentation.
- Supports daily pathology operations by preparing grossing workstations, obtaining specimen measurements and weights, labeling cassettes, managing specimen storage and disposal, transporting specimens, assisting with gross room workflow, and ensuring timely specimen processing.
- Provides support for pathology processes, including slide preparation, coverslipping, reagent changes, slide and block filing and retrieval, basic equipment maintenance, quality documentation, and other non-complex laboratory procedures performed under established protocols.
- Coordinates pathology consultations and send-outs; prepares, packages, tracks, and documents specimens, slides, and blocks sent to reference laboratories or consulting pathologists. Maintains pathology records, scans and files reports, and ensures accurate tracking and chain-of-custody documentation.
- Answers phones, responds to inquiries, communicates with physicians, healthcare facilities, and reference laboratories, routes issues appropriately, and assists with clerical and operational functions to support efficient pathology services.
- Maintains laboratory inventory and supplies, orders and stocks materials, organizes reagents, washes glassware, performs section maintenance activities, documents quality and maintenance records, and participates in competency assessments, continuing education, and quality improvement activities.
Experience Required
0-2 Years Preferred
Experience in histology, anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, medical office, or specimen accessioning environment.
Education Requirements
High School Diploma/ GED
Associate degree or college coursework in Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Laboratory Science, or related science field
Special Requirements
Strong attention to detail and specimen identification accuracy
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities
Ability to work independently and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment
Knowledge of confidentiality and HIPAA requirements
Experience with Epic Beaker, SoftPath, Sunquest, Copia, or laboratory information systems (Preferred)