Pathology Assistant

Overview

Job Title & Specialty Area:
Pathology Assistant

Department:
Lab

Location:

Dallas, TX

Shift: PRN, Variable Shifts

Job Type: On-Site

Why Children’s Health? Our mission is to Make Life Better for Children. We partner with UT Southwestern to deliver an extraordinary patient and family experience, contributing to the overall well-being of children and the broader community.

This job is an hourly version of an exempt role; typically used for part-time, hourly, or PRN assignments. The Pathologists' Assistant is responsible for the preparation, gross description and dissection of surgical specimens for histologic processing, including photographing gross specimens, performing frozen sections, assisting in fine needle aspirations and performing specialized procedures prior to processing. Participates in preparation and performance of postmortem examinations including the performance of associated specialized procedures.

• Receives/obtains surgical specimens and ensures accuracy of patient information on requisition. Accessions specimen into LIS, allowing for accurate billing. Performs detailed and specialized dissection of tissue samples, selecting and preparing the appropriate sections in order for the pathologist to provide an accurate report. Accurately dictates gross description of each specimen, providing a legal documentation suitable for the medical record.
• Performs the necessary slide preparations for fine needle aspiration analysis and during intraoperative consultations, appropriate triaging of tissue for kidney biopsy procedures and slide preparation for frozen sections.
• Performs specimen photography and radiography. Maintains proper functioning of photography equipment according to department guidelines. Produces correctly labeled, quality photographs and radiographs suitable for the patient’s records. Maintains and downloads specimen photography for shared use.
• Participates in the preparation and performance of autopsies to include: (a) preparation of body for autopsy (performing the correct incisions); (b) external examination; (c) in-situ organ inspection; (d) systematic removal of organs; (e) dissection of organs; (f) recording of data; (g) selection and submission of tissue for microscopic examination; (h) procurement of cultures and blood for testing; (i) prepares and supplies the autopsy suite for examination;
  
  (j) prepares body for undertaker according to accepted standards.
• Performs specialized techniques required during the performance of autopsies, including the distension of intact hearts, examination for pneumothorax, obtaining bone samples, and others.
• Participates in Frozen Tissue Banking. Collects, logs in and rapidly freezes tissue samples; registers sample in dedicated Tissue Bank database providing an independent sample number without patient identifiers; stores samples in freezer according to placement indicated in the database; distributes tissue from the tissue bank to researchers in accordance to the Institutional Review Board and in accordance with research protocols, and maintains records of all tissue given out.
• Remains current with written protocols and procedure manuals, and capable of developing and writing new protocols and procedures.
• Participates in development of safety protocols and observes strict biological, fire and chemical safety procedures. Adheres to safety policies, regulations and precautions in the laboratory.
• Provides on call coverage during evenings and/or weekends as necessary.
• Provide support to Autopsy Services through deiner services, on call coverage, equipment/supply maintenance, brain cutting and conference set up.
• Provide administrative support as needed.

• Knowledge of histology, grossing, dissection techniques and handling of surgical pathology and postmortem specimens Required
• Experience as a pathology assistant under the supervision of a board certified Anatomic Pathologist Preferred

• Four-year Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience Required
• Graduate or professional work or advanced degree; or equivalent experience Preferred

• Certified ASCP Pathologist Assistant or board…