Anatomic Pathology Specialist I

Principal duties and responsibilities:

1) Ensure correct patient labeling of all materials received. Ensure that requests for service by clinicians meet regulatory standards set by The Joint Commission and other agencies.

2) Receive, reconcile and triage most anatomic pathology specimen types received directly from the Operating Suite.

3) Accession and enter data of patient medical record information into laboratory information system (LIS), assign surgical pathology accession numbers, edit, and confirm patient charge information using LIS.

4) Generate barcode labels, label surgical specimens, and ensure quality assurance by cross checking EPIC specimen labels and requisition.

5) Respond to telephone inquiries regarding surgical specimens and related information. Forward technical questions to Technical Supervisor, as appropriate.

6) Demonstrate astute clinical judgement when handling patient material and reports.

7) Demonstrate the highest level of technical expertise when staining for intraoperative diagnosis and review.

8) Orient, train and guide residents to the frozen section room and instruct them in frozen section workflow.

9) Routinely assist residents in accessioning and staining of a full range of specimens.

10) Verify proper operation of critical frozen section equipment daily. Record and maintain functional verification and maintenance files as required by Commonwealth and The Joint Commission.

11) Troubleshoot equipment problems and initiate repair or contact service representative. Document problems and notify Technical Supervisor.

12) Maintain frozen section staining solutions daily to ensure optimal staining quality for diagnosis and prompt daily quality assessment. Under urgent conditions, make precise changes to solutions in consultation with senior staff.

13) Organize and manage a system of scanning and filing frozen section slides and deliver them to residents' room for review.

14) Ensure ready status of Frozen Section Room by maintaining availability of clean instruments and consumable supplies. Organize and maintain instruments and dissecting supplies for each workstation under conditions requiring

rapid turnaround.

15) Maintain a clean laboratory environment in the Frozen Section Room with daily cleaning including work instruments, surfaces, cabinets and sinks.

16) Maintain diagnostic viability and integrity of all specimens and patient information. Sustain a high level of awareness to myriad discrepancies that can create severe risk management issues.

17) Work in concert with designated research Pathologists' Assistants and Pathology Residents to ensure that research tissue is appropriately triaged, procured and disbursed.

18) Appropriately triage tissue for different types of fixation or special studies.

19) Assist senior staff by assuring consistent and proper acquisition of tissue from specimens for departmental or inter-departmental purposes such as clinical studies, teaching and research.

20) Maintain and capture daily, weekly, monthly and yearly metrics for the Frozen Section Room.

Education
Bachelor's degree is required. A degree in biology, chemistry or related field preferred.

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
Yes

Experience
-Familiar with medical terminology and human anatomy preferable
- Experience sectioning tissue using standard histologic technique is preferred

-Ability to perform routine and advanced frozen section procedures is highly desirable.

Basic understanding of histologic principles and practice is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent time management and organizational skills

-Aptitude for attention to detail

-Communication and interpersonal skills to permit collaborative and effective working relationships with coworkers

-Ability to work in high-stress, fast-paced work area without losing composure or compromising accuracy