Pathology Technician Assistant AA

Company: Kaiser Permanente
Location: San Rafael
Posted on: June 18, 2022

Job Description:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Pathology/Laboratory Director and the Laboratory Administrative Director or designee and under general supervision of the grossing pathologist, assists pathologist in the receipt, organization of surgical tissue specimens, and autopsies and assures and logs specimens appropriately, processes, and disposes in a timely and safe manner. All tasks are to be done courtestly and correctly using judgment to respond appropriately to changing workload. Must be willing to work in a Labor/Management Partnership enviroment.
Essential Functions:

• 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.
                                                    Job Grade: 430
                                                    Basic Qualifications:
                                                    
                                                    
                                                    • 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.
                                                            OR
                                                            
                                                            Must have previously qualified or could have qualified as a laboratory medical technologist on or before February 28, 1992
                                                            
                                                            OR
                                                            
                                                            On or before April 24, 1995 must have been a high school graduate or equivalent and have either graduated from a HHS approved medical laboratory training program or successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician).
                                                            
                                                            
                                                            • 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
                                                                                • 
                                                                                  If it is determined that you need to complete testing to qualify for this position, you will receive an email inviting you to take the assessment(s) listed above. Passing test scores remain on file for one year.
                                                                                  PrimaryLocation : California,San Rafael,San Rafael Hospital
                                                                                  HoursPerWeek : 1
                                                                                  Shift : Day
                                                                                  Workdays : Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
                                                                                  WorkingHoursStart : 06:30 AM
                                                                                  WorkingHoursEnd : 03:00 PM
                                                                                  Job Schedule : Call-in/On-Call
                                                                                  Job Type : Standard
                                                                                  Employee Status : Regular
                                                                                  Employee Group/Union Affiliation : A01-SEIU-United Healthworkers
                                                                                  Job Level : Entry Level
                                                                                  Job Category : Laboratory
                                                                                  Department : San Rafael Hospital - Pathology/Lab-Clinical Lab - 0206
                                                                                  Travel : No
                                                                                  Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status.

Keywords: Kaiser Permanente, San Rafael , Pathology Technician Assistant AA, Healthcare , San Rafael, California