Job Description

The job description is based on the responsibilities of pathologists’ assistant from the AAPA (American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants) Code of Regulations as reviewed by a committee of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) in 1994.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

At the direction and under the supervision of a Pathologist (s), a Pathologists’ Assistant may perform the following tasks and assume the responsibility for duties including the following:

PREPARATION, GROSS DESCRIPTION AND DISSECTION OF HUMAN TISSUE SURGICAL SPECIMENS INCLUDING:

• Assuring appropriate specimen accessioning.
• Obtaining clinical history, including scans, x-rays, laboratory data, etc.
• Describing gross anatomic features, dissecting surgical specimens, and preparing tissues for histologic processing.
• Obtaining biological specimens such as blood, tissue and toxicological material for studies such as flow cytometry, image analysis, immunohistochemistry etc., and performing special procedures.
• Photographing all pertinent gross specimens and microscopic slides.
• Performing duties relating to the administrative maintenance of surgical pathology protocols, reports and data, including the filing of reports, protocols, photographic and microscopic slides; assuring the completion of specimen coding; billing code entry.
• Assuring proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies, and cleanliness of the surgical pathology suite.
• Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.

PREPARATION OF HUMAN POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS INCLUDING:

• Ascertaining proper legal authorization for autopsy.
• Retrieving the patient’s medical chart and other pertinent data for review with the attending pathologist (s).
• Conferring with the attending pathologist (s) to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of the postmortem examination, (e.g. cultures; smears; histochemical, immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral or electron microscopy studies etc.), and notifying all personnel directly involved.
• Notifying the physician in charge, the funeral home, and all other appropriate authorities prior to the beginning of the autopsy; and coordinating any requests for special specimen sampling (e.g. organ transplantation, research, etc.);
• Performing postmortem examinations which may include: external examination; in situ organ inspection; evisceration; dissection and dictation or recording of data such as organ weights, presence of body fluids etc., and gross anatomic findings.
• Selecting, preparing and submitting appropriate gross tissue sections for frozen section analysis as well as for light, electron and immunofluorescent microscopy.
• Obtaining biological specimens such as blood, tissue and toxicological material for studies including flow cytometry, image analysis, immunohistochemistry etc.; and performing special procedures such as coronary artery perfusion, central nervous system perfusion, enucleation, inner ear bone dissection spinal cord removal, etc.
• Photographing the body, organs, microscopic slides and other pertinent materials.
• Gathering and organizing clinical information and data pertinent to the preparation of the preliminary summarization of the clinical history.
• Preparing the body for release (including indicating the presence of biohazards such as contagious disease, radiation implants, etc.), and releasing the body to the appropriate mortuary or funeral home representative.
• Performing duties related to administrative maintenance of anatomic pathology protocols; photographic and microscopic slides; and assuring the completion of coding.
• Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.
• Assuring the proper maintenance of equipment, the provision of adequate supplies, and the cleanliness of the autopsy suite.

TEACHING:

• Assist as needed in teaching of grossing techniques of biopsy and other surgical specimens to pathology residents..
• Assist as needed in teaching of frozen section techniques to pathology residents.
• Assist as needed in teaching of autopsy techniques to residents.
• Teaching of cutting room administrative techniques, including accessioning cases, dictating descriptions, preparing cassettes with cassette labeler, photographing specimens to pathology residents.
• Training of Pathology Technicians.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:

• Responsible for receipt of specimens for Operating Room and Day Surgery, or other sites.
• Accessioning surgical specimens and autopsies into computer system.
• Informing resident and pathology staff of those items requiring immediate attention.
• Determining distribution of specimens for processing and evaluation by residents and attendings.
• Labeling containers and tissue cassettes.
• Cleaning and maintaining cutting room and autopsy room.
• Preparing cutting room and autopsy room on a daily basis.
• Preparing new stocks of reagents.
• Restocking supplies of consumables.
• Ensures that tissues are retained for appropriate periods of time as defined in the procedures manual.
• Ensures disposal of tissues after appropriate holding period.
• Ensures proper discarding of contaminated materials.
• Ensures master formalin reservoir is filled.
• Prepares and maintains adequate supply of formalin containers for distribution to clinics, operating room and day surgery.
• Transports bodies between morgue and autopsy room.
• Assists with autopsies as directed under established protocol.
• Ensures compliance with JCAHO, CAP, HIPAA, OSHA and other appropriate standards, as regards safety of laboratory personnel, patient confidentiality, and integrity of patient related materials.
• Maintains records are required by CAP and other regulatory bodies and as defined in the Anatomical Pathology Procedure Manual.
• Maintains collaborative team relationships with colleagues.
• Performs other similar or relate duties as required or directed to maintain the seamless, efficient, adequate and safe functioning of the cutting room and autopsy room.

PERFORMING SUCH ADMINISTRATIVE, BUDGETARY, TEACHING, AND OTHER DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED/ASSIGNED.

Qualifications

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Good computer skills required for data entry and troubleshooting.

EDUCATION:

• Must have understanding of human Anatomy and Physiology acquired through college baccalaureate degree. Master of Health Science Pathologists’ Assistant preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• One year experience, skills required to operate dictation systems, laboratory balances, band saw (Stryker), fixed bone saw (Isomet) and cryostats.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Works requires standing or walking for up to half of the day and lifting or pushing of weights up to 200 pounds.
• Frequent exposure to human waste, and noxious gases and odors.
• Exposure to infectious materials and dangerous bacterial and viral agents.
• Exposure to fumes which may cause minor illnesses.
• Contact with physicians, house staff, funeral homes and other hospitals.

Additional Information

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.