Manager Pathologists' Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY :

Under the general supervision of the Director for Operations, Associate Director for Pathology Operations and in collaboration with the Chief of Anatomic Pathology (College of American Pathologists' Laboratory Director), leads, manages, monitors, implements and supervises quality and compliance standards in the department of pathology & laboratory medicine at BMC.

Specifically, manages the surgical pathology specimen dissection (grossing) laboratory. The primary role of the incumbent is as a practitioner, educator and role model for pathology residents and staff members in dissecting all surgical specimens and biopsies received in the laboratory, with a focus on the more complex specimens e.

g. large surgical resections for cancer.

Prepares surgical and autopsy specimens for processing and microscopic examination, which includes gross description, dissection and management of all pre-analytic aspects of specimen preparation.

Provides technical leadership to pathology department residents and support staff (specimen dissection, processing of dictations and case paperwork, supplies etc .

Maintains cleanliness and infection control, biosafety and chemical safety in surgical pathology dissection suites.

Actively implements a Quality Management Program and Quality Improvement initiatives. Ensures maintenance of standards that meet or exceed requirements for College of American Pathologist (CAP) and The Joint Commission (TJC), and other external agencies as necessary (e.

g. DPH), to maintain CMS compliance. Champions BMC's RESPECT values.

Position : Manager Pathologists' Assistant

Department : Pathology Lab

Schedule : Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES :

Surgical Pathology Services

• Continuously interact with the laboratory director(s), site managers, supervisors and designees.
• Supports the frozen section service by, organizing, processing, cutting frozen sections, staining, and otherwise preparing tissue for microscopic evaluation by the Pathologist.
• Maintains and updates policy and procedures manuals to ensure compliance with CAP and Joint Commission accreditation standards, under direction of department manager.
• Administers the daily operation of the surgical pathology dissection suite. Cleans and disinfects work area, inventories and stocks supplies.

Monitors and cleans instruments and equipment (fume hoods, cryostats etc).

• Facilitates removal of hazardous waste from laboratories to storage facility within the department. Communicates with safety department as necessary.
• Exhibits an understanding and knowledge of : histologic tissue preparation, opening and embedding cassettes, slide labeling and coverslipping.
• Prepares chemicals and dyes for use in routine and special staining techniques of diagnostic specimens.
• Exhibits an understanding and knowledge of : routine histologic staining and set-up of frozen-section staining area; use of automated tissue staining equipment and operation and maintenance of automated coverslipper.
• Ensures calibrates and maintains of laboratory equipment. Address malfunctioning equipment and monitor daily log of equipment performance.

Assists with equipment delivery. Performs preventative maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory equipment.

Autopsy Assistance

• Ascertains correct legal authorization for autopsy.
• Checks autopsy permission form to confirm accuracy and completeness.
• Retrieves patient chart and medical record and any other pertinent data.
• Completes Autopsy Patient Safety checklist
• Confers with pathologist to determine necessity for special specimen collection techniques and notifies all personnel involved.
• Contacts pathology resident and pathologist on call, attending clinical physician listed on death certificate and all other authorities prior to beginning dissection.

Coordinates special requests for organ sampling.

Performs postmortem examination including; external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection and dictation or recording of data, i.

e. organ weights, presence of body fluids and gross anatomic findings.

• Collaborates with pathologist to select and prepare gross tissue samples for frozen and permanent sections.
• Photographs and archives body, organs, microscope slides and other relevant material.
• Collates data for quality improvement indicators as directed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION :

Master's degree from an accredited Pathologists' Assistant Program

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED :

Pathologist Assistant PA (ASCP) certification required

EXPERIENCE :

5 years experience required

The minimum training / experience required of such personnel is :

which the individual performs high complexity testing.

LABBMC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Veterans