• Receives, transports, verifies identification, logs, and prepares gross surgical and cytology specimens received in pathology.

• May be required to pick up and transport all pathology specimens from laboratory and surgery, verifying specimen identification and resolves discrepancies.

• Labels specimens, requisitions, cassettes with surgical accession number, legibly and accurately.

• Enters accession number, patient and specimen identifiers into computer database.

• Processes, prepares, and sends specimens to outside laboratory and accurately completes all associated paperwork.

• Processes, prepares, and distributes intra-facility consultations.

• Performs tissue sections according to written policies and procedures.

• Assists pathologist with gross examination.

• Sets up necessary equipment, supplies and specimens for gross examination.

• Stores specimens after examination.

• Disinfects area/instruments including cryostat.

• May assist pathologists preparing fetal/infant cadavers and associated paperwork for delivery to fetal pathologists.

• Maintains wet tissue storage.

• Stores, rotates, and disposes of all wet tissues in accordance with departmental procedures. Disinfects and maintains specimen storage cabinets.

• Disposes of tissues, decanting formaldehyde per department protocol and following all safety precautions.

• Assists other staff, as directed, and assists with clerical duties:

• Receives slides from Regional Lab and distributes slides to pathologist. Verifies accuracy of shipment.

• Files, including slides.

• Assists with stocking supplies and proper utilization of supplies.

• Mailing and distribution of report.

• Answering the telephone and responding to voicemail messages in a timely manner.

• According to established facility protocol, conducts daily morgue census; verifies if autopsy is required and collects permit chart, etc. as assigned.

• Properly labels, stores, handles, and disposes reagents and hazardous wastes according to local, State and Federal regulations. This may include recycling or reprocessing of reagents used in the department/unit including neutralization of formaldehyde before disposing.

• May be assigned to train staff in all non-grossing duties.

• Performs other duties assigned.

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Grade: 430

• Current pathology experience including assisting in receipt and processing surgical specimens
• Experience in assisting the pathologists in post mortem procedures preferred
• Current pathology technical assistant experience preferred
• Must have an AA in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology, or equivalent education with at least 60 semester hours including, at a minimum, six semester hours each of chemistry and biology and twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical technology in any combination from an accredited institution.

• Good working knowledge of basic clinical laboratory and pathology terminology
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills necessary to work under time constraints
• Ability to keep detailed records
• Excellent attendance
• Strong customer focus
• Excellent interpersonal skills in working with customers, clinicians & coworkers
• Basic computer keyboard skills & word processing of 20 wpm
• Ability to function according to established policies and procedures under the general supervision, and, as applicable, direct supervision of a pathologist
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language