Independence Health System
Location
Butler Township, Pennsylvania
The Pathologist Assistant performs gross dissection and dictation of surgical specimens under pathologist supervision, ensuring correct documentation of tissue handling and clinical history. They also assist with maintaining laboratory accreditation and regulatory compliance.
A Master's Degree in a Pathologists’ Assistant Program or equivalent is required, along with clinical rotation experience; preferred certification is PA (ASCP) or equivalent, or obtaining it within two years of hire.
Registration/Certification/Licensure: Preferred: PA (ASCP) or equivalent certification or obtained within two years of hire/transfer
Minimum: Clinical rotation as part of the Master Degree program or equivalent experience.
One year experience as Pathologists’ Assistant.
Responsible to safely access, transport, and handle sharps, such as needles, suture kits, lancets, syringes, etc.
An asterisk (*) indicates that the item is an essential function.
Material Handling Pushing - To exert a force upon an object in order to move it in a certain direction Pushing refers to moving an object away from theperson OCCASIONAL Up to 20# Pulling - To exert a force upon an object in order to move it in a certain direction Pulling refers to moving an object towards the person OCCASIONAL Up to 20# Lift - Floor to Waist OCCASIONAL 20# - 50# Lift - Waist to shoulder OCCASIONAL Up to 20# Lift - Shoulder to overhead OCCASIONAL Up to 20# Carrying - To transport an object or article using the arms or hands (> 10 feet) OCCASIONAL 20# - 50#
Environmental Factors Working alone - N/A Working in cramped quarters - OCCASIONAL Constant interruptions - CONSTANT Working with hands in water - N/A Use of power tools - N/A Working on ladders/scaffolding - N/A Exposure to vibration - N/A Exposure to dust - N/A Exposure to noise (constant) - CONSTANT Exposure to electrical energy (outlets, etc) - N/A Exposure to temperature changes (heat, cold, humidity), that require special clothing - N/A Exposure to solvents, grease, oils - OCCASIONAL Exposure to radiant energy, ie computer terminal (more than 4 hours per shift) - CONSTANT Working with bloodborne pathogens - CONSTANT Cardiovascular Energy Requirements - Physical Demand
Physical Demand MetLevel Examples of similar activity intensity Sedentary to Light 0 - 3.5 Light house cleaning, washing dishes, serving food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work. Medium 3.6 - 6.3 House work (mopping, scrubbing), health club exercising, treadmill work, stretching, yoga, walk/run-playwith children, aerobic class, dancing, carrying bucket/wood, auto body repair, shoveling snow, golf(carrying clubs). Heavy to Very Heavy > 6.4 Calisthenics (push up, pull up, sit up, vigorous effort), carrying groceries upstairs, shoveling coal, bailinghay, fire fighting, sawing by hand, splitting wood. As relates to this position: Sedentary to Light - CONSTANT Medium - N/A Heavy to Very Heavy - N/A
1. Performs gross processing of a variety of complex surgical pathology specimens including intraoperative consults (frozen sections) in regulatory compliance with the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Responds to questions and requests for additional grossing processes from the Pathologist to improve the diagnostic value of the tissue prepared. 2. Assists with the preparation of freshly removed surgical specimens for cytological studies. 3. Works collaboratively with Surgical Pathology Technicians, Histologists and secretarial/ transcriptionist. Properly documents procedures and codes correctly. 4. Prepares and follows requirements for special testing. Maintains Gross room, equipment, specimen storage and disposal, biohazard waste, hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials. 5. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives; prepares quality assurance reports, workload summary reports, and service call schedules.
1. Completed mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes. 2. Completed annual employee health requirements within established timeframes. 3. Maintained license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year. 4. Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self. Identifies and works to reduce potentially unsafe patient care or other safety practices. 5. Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.