Pathology Lab Assistant Sr. - Per Diem - Mercy San Diego
About The Position
This per diem/casual position is based at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego in Hillcrest and may require floating to Scripps Mercy Chula Vista as needed. Work is scheduled on varied weekdays, typically 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; training will take place on both shifts for 2–4 weeks as needed. Occasional Saturdays are required, and shift times may vary according to business needs. The Pathology Lab Assistant Sr. handles and accessions surgical and outpatient tissue and cytologic specimens. The role supports rapid specimen diagnosis by preparing frozen tissue sections and stained slides, and attends radiology, endoscopic, and bone marrow procedures to handle and triage collected tissue for pathologist interpretation and cell block preparation. Correct specimen identification and labeling are essential to help prevent critical patient-care errors. The position offers training across multiple laboratory sections in a supportive, fast-paced pathology environment, exposure to complex cases and high-volume specimen processing, and collaboration with pathologists, radiologists, and surgeons. Scripps Health also describes transitional and professional development programs and notes its nationally recognized specialties and workplace recognition.
Requirements
- One year of related laboratory experience, preferably in a large, complex healthcare organization.
- Graduation from college with a major in an applicable natural science; or two years of college coursework in the natural sciences plus two years of applicable experience; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience.
- Critical-thinking and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated laboratory skills handling specimens, reagents, and instruments.
- High accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and strong verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with medical terminology and an understanding of computer systems.
- Strong communication, organization, patient/specimen identification, written documentation, and specimen manipulation skills during invasive procedures.
- At least six months of specialized on-the-job training to reach full competency in processing specimens while attending all procedure types.
Nice To Haves
- Cytology experience.
- Histology experience.
- Pathology or clinical laboratory experience.
- Reference laboratory specimen send-out experience.
- Biohazardous material shipping experience.
- Background in science.
- Two years of laboratory experience.
Responsibilities
- Handle and accession surgical and outpatient tissue and cytologic specimens.
- Use a cryostat to cut frozen tissue sections for rapid diagnosis by the pathologist.
- Stain slides using H/E and DQ stains.
- Use the Faxitron for breast specimens to identify biopsy clips and Magseeds in the pathology tissue room.
- Attend CT, ultrasound, EUS, and EBUS procedures to handle and triage collected tissue, prepare slides for rapid interpretation by the pathologist, and place tissue in cassettes for cell block preparation in the acute care hospital.
- Attend bedside and radiology bone marrow procedures to handle and triage collected tissue, prepare slides, and prepare the core.
- Ensure specimens are correctly identified and labeled to help prevent critical patient-care errors.
- Perform analytical standard work that enhances specimen quality and supports accurate physician diagnosis.
Benefits
- Transitional and professional development programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
