Pathologist Assistant

Montefiore Nyack Hospital•Village of Nyack, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pathologist Assistant performs gross examination of surgical pathology specimens and prepares frozen-section slides under the direction of a pathologist. The role coordinates and develops immunohistochemistry procedures and implements and maintains the anatomic pathology computer system. The position is based in the Laboratory - Pathology department in Nyack, New York, with a day shift and an alternate schedule of 6:30 AM–5:00 PM. Scheduled weekly hours are listed as 0. The listed hourly rate is $70.00 and may be subject to change based on shift differential, experience, education, or other relevant factors. The role works with pathologists, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, laboratory staff, and others, and provides direction to histotechnologists, technicians, and clerical staff. It involves working with toxic compounds and possible accidental exposure, face-to-face contact with nurses and surgeons, and occasional entry into a sterile operating room. The work requires skilled specimen examination, orientation, dissection, anatomical knowledge, cutting, simultaneous dictation, and lifting and pouring large reagent bottles. The Pathologist Assistant supports the hospital’s mission and service standards, maintains technical competence and required licensure or certification, participates in continuing education and annual competency assessment, and contributes to process and outcome improvement. Staff with regular clinical contact must demonstrate age-specific competency for patients from neonates through geriatric patients.

Requirements

Minimum bachelor’s degree in Health Science as a Pathology Assistant.
Pathology Assistant training or certification.
New York State license required within six months of hire.
Understanding of basic pathology principles to exercise judgment about specimen acceptability and tissue sampling for adequate representation of diagnostic features.
Ability to perform skilled specimen examination, orientation to body site, dissection, cutting, and simultaneous dictation.
Ability to lift and pour large reagent bottles.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two years’ experience as a Pathologist’s Assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

Grossly describe surgical pathology specimens for routine histology and select appropriate sections for diagnosis.
Review gross descriptions after transcription and take gross photography pictures as required.
Gross, cut, and stain frozen sections for rapid diagnosis.
Handle special-procedure cases, including lymph nodes, breast localizations, and cytogenetics.
Develop new immunohistochemical stain procedures in cooperation with the Pathology Manager.
Maintain equipment in the grossing room, including the cryostat and grossing station.
Perform specimen accessioning as required.
Maintain the surgical pathology manual according to CAP guidelines.
Monitor the morgue census.
Maintain skills through continuing professional education and participate in annual competency assessment.
Participate in department- and hospital-wide activities to improve processes or outcomes.
Use equipment and supplies prudently and follow the charge process for supplies and equipment.
Complete projects and assignments within expected time frames.
Provide direction to histotechnologists, technicians, and clerical staff.
Follow hospital-wide standards for teamwork, accountability, communication, professional appearance, responsiveness, and service.
For staff with regular clinical contact, assess, treat, and care for patients of all ages as necessary and demonstrate age-specific competency.