Staff Pathologist Assistant, Sutter Joint Venture Cancer Center

Stanford Health Care•Stanford, CA

66d•$65 - $86•Onsite

About The Position

Join Stanford Health Care as a Staff Pathologists Assistant and become a cornerstone of diagnostic excellence. You’ll directly influence patient care through meticulous tissue dissection, cassetting for embedding, and intraoperative support. Work alongside expert pathologists, educate residents and trainees, contribute to tissue banking and research initiatives, and enjoy a dynamic, collaborative environment with opportunities for teaching, radiography, and specialized processing. We offer a rewarding pace, shared leadership in complex cases, and rotating weekend/off-site coverage that supports growth and balance. The Staff Pathologists Assistant (PA) dissects tissue specimens and provides dictated placement in plastic cassettes for embedding, staining, and microscopic analysis. This position includes coding and accessioning of specimens; processing breast and other complex tissue specimens according to established protocols; and instruction of residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in Gross Room protocols and processes, as well as specimen photography. This position is responsible for providing direct coverage and responding on a STAT basis to the frozen section room for all SHC operating rooms and performing intraoperative consultations. The PA is also responsible for assisting and preserving tissue from specimens for the Department of Pathology Tissue Bank, and other adult and pediatric research groups. This position prepares and performs specimen radiography of breast, bone, and soft tissue specimens. The PA is also responsible for providing weekend and off-site location coverage on a rotational basis.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university
Master’s degree from an accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program
One (1) year of progressively responsible and directly related work experience preferred
Ability operate and maintain medical equipment and apparatuses
Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions and interpret results
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Ability to follow written and oral instructions
Ability to learn new procedures and adapt to technological changes in the laboratory
Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities
Ability to perform tasks according to prescribed procedures
Ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
Knowledge and technical proficiency in specialty areas assigned within the laboratory
Knowledge of infection prevention policies and procedures
Knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirements related to areas of functional responsibility
Knowledge of mathematics general science and laboratory techniques
PA (ASCP) – Pathologist Assistant Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology within 180 Days

Responsibilities

Receives samples via couriers or other hospital personnel. Handles patient's samples in an appropriate and efficient manner, distributing to the appropriate area of the laboratory or routing to other hospital departments as necessary according to procedure.
Accessions patient samples into the Laboratory information system(s). Checks all requests for proper and accurate patient information. Consults with Supervisor if request is problematic. Notifies physician, nursing unit, clinic, etc. if sample received is inappropriate or compromised.
Completes a gross examination, dissection, and selection of representative tissue for microscopic examination for designated specimens. This includes weighing, measuring, and selectively photographing tissue specimens.
Assists pathologists with orientation, training, and instruction and of trainees to procedures and techniques of basic specimen handling, gross dissection, and dictation of both simple and complex specimens as well as the use of equipment.
Performs intraoperative consultations and fine needle aspiration (FNA) adequacies.
Performs specimen radiographs for selective specimens.
Preserves tissues for research, ancillary studies, and tissue bank.
Communicates with physicians, nurses, visitors and other laboratory/ hospital staff in a cooperative and courteous manner. Responds to their needs appropriately with minimal waiting time.
Follows all departmental policies regarding attendance, punctuality and health and safety.
Independently resolves problems encountered in routine work. Recognizes problems or requests which require Supervisor and/or Lead assistance when appropriate.
Keeps current with all laboratory procedures, techniques, and changes in all areas of the laboratory through which they rotate. Meet competency standards of the department.
Assists in routine and regularly scheduled preventive maintenance for all equipment and spaces according to established procedures.
Expected behaviors include adaptability to change, collaboration toward common goals, self-motivation, and taking initiative.
Expected communication skills involve active listening and proper email etiquette.
Adheres to all Safety/Health regulatory and state/federal legal requirements and policies, operating procedures, and Services Standard of the Hospitals.
Serves as a technical resource for faculty, residents, and other laboratory personnel.
Autopsy specific tasks: Autopsy dissections and measurements / Assists in collection of specimens for laboratory and microscopic analysis / Instructs residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty in autopsy protocols and processes as well as specimen photography and radiology / Responsible for preparing specimens for the teaching collection and various research tissue protocols
Assists in maintenance and supply of the autopsy room
Participates in administrative roles such as health and safety certification for the autopsy service

Benefits

Career Growth
Structured Surgical Technologist career ladder
Continued compensation growth
Annual education reimbursement of up to $2,000
Ongoing professional development opportunities
World-Class Environment
Top 10 nationally ranked academic medical center
Level I Trauma Center
Magnet-recognized organization
State-of-the-art facilities and surgical technology
Comprehensive Benefits
One of the nation’s top retirement matching and contribution programs
Free commuter benefits
Opportunities to work alongside internationally recognized physicians and clinical leaders.