Pathologist Assistant, Pathology

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

14d

About The Position

The position is expected to assist surgical pathologists in handling surgical specimens including specialized grossing functions of all levels of complexity; taking the lead on hospital frozen section procedures on a daily basis; procuring tissue for research and acting as liaison between Pathology and Tissue Banking for new IRBs; Accurately prepping whole-organ cases for proper fixation in line with CAP cold ischemic time guidelines for proper formalin fixation, assisting with autopsies and photographing specimens as appropriate; and participating in administrative, quality assurance and control activities in gross room. Other duties include teaching and training residents and fellows rotating through the gross room. Specialized skills: Specific skills and expertise are needed to handle the complex cases on the rise as surgeons continue to be hired at CUH. Certified PA (ASCP) applicants only, although both low and high complexity testing may be required as a part of expected duties.
Flexibility: M-F 40hr/week, to include possible weekend or hours outside of "normal operation" hours as warranted by surgery scheduling.

Requirements

• Master's Degree as Pathologists' Assistant certification or eligible for certification as a Pathologists' Assistant by American Association of Pathologists' Assistants or other recognized accrediting agency.
• New graduates must be withing four (4) months of expected graduation date, and in good standing with their accredited program, to be considered for hire, and must be able to successfully pass PA Certification exam within the first 90 days of hire.
• New graduates must be able to successfully pass PA Certification exam within the first 90 days of hire within 90 Days

Responsibilities

• Preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical specimens including a) assuring appropriate specimen accessioning; b) obtaining pertinent clinical information and history, including scans, x-rays, lab data, etc; c) describing gross anatomic features of surgical specimens, preparing tissues for histological processing, obtaining biological samples such as blood, tissue and toxicological material for studies such as flow cytometry, image analysis, immunohistochemistry, etc. and performing requisite special procedures; d) preparing and submitting appropriate tissue sections for light microscopy as well as special procedures such as frozen section, electron microscopy and immunoflourescence microscopy; e) photographing appropriate specimens and microscopic slides.
• Assist pathologists or pathology residents in gross and microscopic examination of surgical and autopsy specimens, including specimen photography and tissue blocking. Conferring with the attending pathologist(s) to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of examination (e.g. cultures smears; histochemical, immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral or electron microscopic studies, etc.), and notifying all personnel directly involved.
• Train (under faculty supervision) new residents in performance of autopsy and surgical gross dissections, specimen photography, and trimming in tissue blocks for histology. Coordinates patient care and teaching conferences including retrieval of clinical and laboratory data, radiographic studies, pathologic materials and specimen photographs. Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.
• Maintain banks of fixed frozen tissues. Maintain databases of specimens, photographs, conference proceedings, and teaching materials. Develop best practices for surgical pathology specimen processing.
• Develop and maintain quality control/quality assurance programs.
• Assures proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies, and cleanliness of laboratory area.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100%25 coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees