Pathology Aide

Trinity Health • Davenport, IA

6d

About The Position

A pathology aide gap year job involves supporting certified pathologists' assistants and licensed pathologists in a laboratory setting, primarily in the initial handling and processing of tissue specimens and in administrative/technical lab management tasks. These positions are often specifically designed as educational opportunities for post-graduate students planning to attend medical or physician assistant school. Specimen Handling and Accessioning: Accurately receiving, labeling, and organizing patient tissue specimens removed during surgery. Gross Examination Assistance: Assisting with the initial "gross" description of specimens, which involves documenting features such as size, weight, color, and anatomic characteristics under the supervision of a pathologist or pathologist's assistant. Tissue Sample Preparation: Selecting and submitting appropriate tissue sections for further microscopic examination and processing (embedding, cutting, and staining) by histology technicians. Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintaining detailed and accurate patient records, pathology logs, and reports, often using laboratory information systems (LIMS) or electronic medical records (EMR). Laboratory Maintenance: Assisting with general lab operations, including maintaining equipment, managing inventory, ensuring adequate supplies, and adhering to safety and quality control standards and protocols. Autopsy Support: In some settings, aides may assist with postmortem examinations by helping to prepare the body, organizing clinical information, and obtaining samples for additional testing, under direct supervision. Education and Research Support: Aides may help prepare materials for educational conferences (e.g., tumor boards), assist with research projects, and train other lab personnel or students. Employers typically seek candidates with a four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., biology, medical technology) and a strong intention to apply to graduate or medical school. Attention to Detail: Essential for accurate specimen processing and documentation to ensure correct diagnoses. Organizational Skills: Necessary for managing multiple specimens, records, and laboratory tasks efficiently. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are vital for collaborating with pathologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. Technical Knowledge: A solid understanding of human anatomy, medical terminology, and basic laboratory procedures. Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) Support: Preparing the Endoscopy/Operating Room suite for cytopathology immediate evaluations including materials set up and slide preparation. Assisting pathologist with specimen procurement, identification, and triage during the procedure. Further specimen processing, including cell block preparation, after the procedure. Must be able to travel to the various MercyOne Genesis locations as needed.

Requirements

• A four-year degree in a science field is required for this position. (e.g., biology, medical technology) and a strong intention to apply to graduate or medical school.
• Attention to Detail: Essential for accurate specimen processing and documentation to ensure correct diagnoses.
• Organizational Skills: Necessary for managing multiple specimens, records, and laboratory tasks efficiently.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are vital for collaborating with pathologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals.
• Technical Knowledge: A solid understanding of human anatomy, medical terminology, and basic laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Accurately receiving, labeling, and organizing patient tissue specimens removed during surgery.
• Assisting with the initial "gross" description of specimens, which involves documenting features such as size, weight, color, and anatomic characteristics under the supervision of a pathologist or pathologist's assistant.
• Selecting and submitting appropriate tissue sections for further microscopic examination and processing (embedding, cutting, and staining) by histology technicians.
• Maintaining detailed and accurate patient records, pathology logs, and reports, often using laboratory information systems (LIMS) or electronic medical records (EMR).
• Assisting with general lab operations, including maintaining equipment, managing inventory, ensuring adequate supplies, and adhering to safety and quality control standards and protocols.
• In some settings, aides may assist with postmortem examinations by helping to prepare the body, organizing clinical information, and obtaining samples for additional testing, under direct supervision.
• Aides may help prepare materials for educational conferences (e.g., tumor boards), assist with research projects, and train other lab personnel or students.
• Preparing the Endoscopy/Operating Room suite for cytopathology immediate evaluations including materials set up and slide preparation.
• Assisting pathologist with specimen procurement, identification, and triage during the procedure.
• Further specimen processing, including cell block preparation, after the procedure.
• Must be able to travel to the various MercyOne Genesis locations as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level