Senior Surgical Pathologists' Assistant- Surgical Grossing Room, Pathology BWH

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

Acting quite independently under the supervision of the Technical Supervisor, Surgical Pathology, is responsible for the daily supervision of the Laboratory Assistant and the Pathology Specialist I's. Serves as a liaison between non-grossing personnel and grossing personnel, providing a clear channel for communication and efficient workflow in the cutting room.

Provides surgical specimen quality assurance for unresolved discrepancies that have escalated beyond 24-hours and immediately for RUSH/STAT specimens. Performs a wide variety of tasks in processing of the full range of human surgical pathology specimens. This includes gross description and dissection, submitting appropriate diagnostic sections, and when necessary review of the case at sign-out with a pathologist.

Contributes to and implements resident training protocols in Frozen Section Room and Surgical Cutting Room. Performs a wide variety of prosecting and reporting responsibilities in the autopsy suite, when required. Under the direction of the Technical Supervisor performs other technical and administrative tasks. The Department of Pathology Accessions approximately 85,000 specimens and performs approximately 250 autopsies annually.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

1.Supervises daily activities of cutting room Laboratory Assistant and Pathology Specialist I staff.

2.Participates in PA and Pathology Specialist hiring decision process.

3.Assists in drafting Laboratory Assistant and Pathology Specialist I staff competency assessments (initial training, 6-month, and annual evaluations).

4.Coordinates and implements real time response to immediate cutting room needs.

5.Provides an on-site resource for coordination of equipment, supply, personnel or service issues.

6.Serves as liaison for residents and pathologists with technical staff providing a clear channel for communication in the cutting room.

7.Develops and implements technical staff coverage schedules for cutting room to ensure adequate weekday and weekend coverage.

8.Assists Pathology Specialist I's with direct communications to submitting physicians on problem specimens.

9.Provides immediate and direct response for safety concerns and incidents in the cutting room. Ensures that appropriate Occupational Health measures are taken when necessary.

10. Provides coverage for Technical Supervisor/Senior Surgical and GYN Pathologists' Assistant when required.

11. Develop and implements daily formal instruction for pathology residents in surgical pathology technique. Orient and train medical residents, medical students, and less advanced technicians in Pathology Gross Room procedures.

12. Recommends, writes and implements effective policies and protocols for cutting room procedures.

13. Prepares and delivers surgical pathology training and inservice sessions for residents and fellows.

14. Assists Technical Supervisor with managing and coordinating recruiting and on-boarding of per diem staff during staffing shortages.

15. Assists in organizing Lab bi-monthly meetings.

16. Works in unison with Co-Senior Surgical Pathologists' Assistant to formulate workflow changes, run analytics, and support proposals set fourth by the Technical Supervisor.

Quality Assurance

1.Provides surgical specimen quality assurance for unresolved discrepancies that have escalated beyond 24-hours and immediately for RUSH/STAT specimens.

2.In the absence of the Technical Supervisor, is qualified to sign off on all QA documents.

3.Develops and implements a quality assurance program to retrospectively evaluate that specimens are grossed in according to protocol by residents and PAs. Follows up with appropriate education and documentation to prevent recurrence.

4.Annually reviews protocols and QC data for surgical cutting room to prepare for inspections by The Joint Commission or other regulatory agencies. Recommends and writes policy or procedure changes to improve compliance.

5.Maintains established department policies, procedures and objectives, including quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.

6.Follows all Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals and related BWH Laboratory and Hospital Policies.

7.Perform all other duties and responsibilities as directed.

General Pathologists' Assistant Duties

Performs all duties of Pathologists' Assistant including but not limited to:

1.Gross description and dissection of a full range of surgical pathology specimens.

2.Provide instruction to resident trainees on gross anatomy, appropriate specimen orientation, tissue selection, cryotomy, and staining for stat intraoperative diagnosis by the pathologist.

3.Demonstrates astute clinical judgment when handling patient material and reports.

4.As needed, performs post-mortem examinations including prosection of organ block and sampling tissue for histologic sections. Dictates data as necessary for autopsy report.

Correct and finalize gross description section of autopsy report following transcription. As necessary, review gross description and case materials with senior staff at sign-out.

5.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.

6.Troubleshoot problems that arise dealing with mislabeling of specimens, specimens missing in processing, etc., working with senior staff and other departmental personnel as necessary, as well as other clinical staff in the hospital.

7.As necessary, provides coverage for Tissue Bank Pathologists' Assistant.

8.Active development of and participation in resident teaching conferences and activities.

9.As necessary in the frozen section lab, select tissue from surgical specimens, section in a cryostat and stain these sections for review and stat intraoperative diagnosis by the pathologist.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's Degree from NAACLS accredited and AAPA approved Pathologists' Assistant Training Program.

ASCP certification required.

5 years experience as a Pathologists' Assistant in an academic medical setting highly desirable.

Desire to lead other Pathologists' Assistants.

Other qualifications as described in the Federal Register, 42 CFR, Subpart M 493.1403 - 1495.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

Must be able to make independent, effective decisions in appropriate situations.

Excellent organizational skills to ensure smooth functioning of pathology laboratories.

Ability to lead others effectively.

Demonstrated analytical skills to assess, develop and implement procedures necessary to achieve established clinical objectives.

Extensive knowledge of the basic sciences, especially anatomy.

Demonstrated leadership skills in laboratory setting.

Extensive knowledge of surgical pathology and autopsy techniques.

Ability to summarize complex clinical data.

Extensive comprehension of medical terminology.

Good working knowledge of histologic procedures.

Must possess excellent dissection technical skills.

Ability to perform frozen sections.

Ability to function independently.

Familiarity with basic computer programs for data entry, searching for clinical information, case identification and retrieval.

Strong interpersonal skills and judgment to permit interactions with pathologists, residents, other physicians, technicians, secretaries, and other administrative staff.

Must possess strong organizational skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises 5 FTEs. Participates in hiring, investigation, and corrective action process.

Responsible for competency, training, and scheduling. Contributes to annual performance evaluations. Coordinates PA responsibilities with Path Techs. Provides coverage in absence of Technical Supervisor.

Oversees training / orientation of new and rotating residents, medical school students, and Pathologists' Assistants.