Pathology Technician Assistant AA

Kaiser Permanente • Fremont, CA

245d

About The Position

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Pathology/Laboratory Director and the Laboratory Administrative Director or designee and under general supervision of the grossing pathologist, assists pathologist in the receipt, preparation and examination of surgical tissue specimens and autopsies. Assures that all specimens are appropriately logged, processed and disposed of in a timely and safe manner. All tasks are to be done courteously and correctly; using judgment to respond appropriately to changing workload. Must be willing to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.

Requirements

• Current pathology experience including assisting in receipt and processing surgical specimens.
• Good working knowledge of basic clinical laboratory and pathology terminology.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills necessary to work under time constraints.
• Ability to keep detailed records.
• Excellent attendance and strong customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in working with customers, clinicians & coworkers.
• Basic computer keyboard skills & word processing of 20 wpm.
• Ability to function according to established policies and procedures under the general supervision of a pathologist.
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred.
• Current pathology technical assistant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receives, transports, verifies identification, logs, and prepares gross surgical and cytology specimens received in pathology.
• May be required to pick up and transport all pathology specimens from laboratory and surgery, verifying specimen identification.
• Labels specimens, requisitions, cassettes with surgical accession number, legibly and accurately.
• Enters accession number, patient and specimen identifiers into computer database.
• Processes, prepares and sends specimens to outside laboratory; accurately completes all associated paperwork.
• Processes, prepares and distributes intra-facility consultations.
• Performs tissue sections according to written policies and procedures.
• Assists pathologist with gross examination by setting up necessary equipment, supplies and specimens.
• Stores specimens after examination and disinfects area/instruments including cryostat.
• May assist pathologists preparing fetal/infant cadavers and associated paperwork for delivery to fetal pathologists.
• Maintains wet tissue storage by storing, rotating and disposing of all wet tissues in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Disinfects and maintains specimen storage cabinets.
• Disposes of tissues, decanting formaldehyde per department protocol and following all safety precautions.
• Assists other staff, as directed, and assists with clerical duties including receiving and distributing slides.
• Files slides and assists with stocking supplies and proper utilization of supplies.
• Mailing and distribution of report and answering the telephone.
• Conducts daily morgue census; verifies if autopsy is required.
• Properly labels, stores, handles, and disposes reagents and hazardous wastes according to local, State and Federal regulations.
• May be assigned to train staff in all non-grossing duties.
• Other duties assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: Associate degree