Staff Pathologist Assistant, Sutter Joint Venture Cancer Center

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

5d•$65 - $86•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Pathologists Assistant dissects tissue specimens and dictates placement in plastic cassettes for embedding, staining, and microscopic analysis. The role includes specimen coding and accessioning, processing breast and other complex specimens according to established protocols, and instructing residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in Gross Room procedures and specimen photography. The position provides direct coverage and STAT response to the frozen section room for all Stanford Health Care operating rooms and performs intraoperative consultations. It also preserves tissue for the Department of Pathology Tissue Bank and other adult and pediatric research groups, performs specimen radiography for breast, bone, and soft tissue specimens, and provides rotating weekend and off-site coverage. The position receives and routes samples, verifies patient information, and escalates problematic or compromised specimens. It conducts gross examinations, dissections, and tissue selection, assists with trainee orientation and instruction, performs fine needle aspiration adequacies, and serves as a technical resource. Autopsy duties include dissection and measurement, specimen collection, teaching, preparation of teaching and research specimens, and maintenance of the autopsy room and its supplies. The role also supports equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, and departmental procedures and standards.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline or field from an accredited college or university.
Master’s degree from an accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program.
Pathologist Assistant certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (PA (ASCP)) within 180 days.
Ability to operate and maintain medical equipment and apparatuses.
Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and interpret results.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to learn new procedures and adapt to technological changes in the laboratory.
Ability to organize, prioritize, multitask, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to perform tasks according to prescribed procedures and work effectively with individuals at all organizational levels.
Knowledge and technical proficiency in assigned laboratory specialty areas.
Knowledge of infection-prevention policies and procedures.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory requirements related to functional responsibilities.
Knowledge of mathematics, general science, and laboratory techniques.
Ability to meet the physical work conditions involving exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Nice To Haves

One year of progressively responsible and directly related work experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive samples from couriers or hospital personnel and distribute or route them to the appropriate laboratory area or department.
Accession patient samples into laboratory information systems, verify patient information, consult a supervisor about problematic requests, and notify relevant staff about inappropriate or compromised samples.
Grossly examine and dissect designated specimens and select representative tissue for microscopic examination; weigh, measure, and selectively photograph specimens.
Process breast and other complex tissue specimens according to established protocols.
Provide direct coverage and STAT response to the frozen section room for Stanford Health Care operating rooms and perform intraoperative consultations and fine needle aspiration adequacies.
Assist pathologists with orientation and instruction of trainees in specimen handling, gross dissection, dictation, procedures, techniques, and equipment use.
Perform specimen radiography for selected breast, bone, and soft tissue specimens.
Preserve tissue for research, ancillary studies, the Department of Pathology Tissue Bank, and other research groups.
Communicate cooperatively and courteously with physicians, nurses, visitors, and laboratory and hospital staff, responding appropriately to their needs.
Follow attendance, punctuality, health, safety, regulatory, legal, and departmental requirements.
Resolve routine work problems independently and seek supervisor or lead assistance when appropriate.
Stay current with laboratory procedures, techniques, and changes in rotating laboratory areas, and meet departmental competency standards.
Assist with routine and scheduled preventive maintenance of equipment and spaces.
Serve as a technical resource for faculty, residents, and other laboratory personnel.
Perform autopsy dissections and measurements and assist in collecting specimens for laboratory and microscopic analysis.
Instruct residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in autopsy protocols, specimen photography, and radiology.
Prepare specimens for teaching collections and research tissue protocols.
Assist with maintenance and supplies for the autopsy room and participate in administrative duties such as autopsy-service health and safety certification.
Provide weekend and off-site location coverage on a rotational basis.
Demonstrate adaptability, collaboration, self-motivation, initiative, active listening, and appropriate email etiquette.