Pathologists' Assistant

Under the technical supervision of a Pathologist and the Technical Director, Pathologists' Assistants (PA) assist the Pathologist in the preparation of human surgical specimens, at MGH Main Campus and MGH Waltham, and assists in the performance of postmortem examinations. PAs assist in examining and collecting tissues for various other needs including controls in the laboratory, testing of new methodologies, and for pathology conferences or teaching. Responsible for maintaining records of tissue and other QA/QC parameters.

Surgical Pathology:

• Dictates gross description and complete dissection of surgical specimens (i.e. type, size, weight, color and anatomical characteristics) under the indirect supervision of the Pathologist or Technical Director at MGH Main Campus and MGH Waltham
• Selects and submits tissue sections for microscopic examination. Understands the appropriate sections necessary for staging tumors, margin and lymph node evaluation. Understands the methodology of submitting tissue to obtain optimum slides. Follows protocol to ensure proper orientation of the specimen at embedding (labeling cassette, orienting tissue in cassette, use of ribbons)
• Instructs both formally and informally pathology residents, PA students and medical students in the gross description, dissection and sampling of surgical pathology specimens as well as frozen section specimens
• Assists in collecting and submitting tissue for a variety of needs, including controls, teaching, research and tissue/tumor banking
• Evaluates tissue to sample for frozen section, cuts and stains frozen sections adequately for telepathology review
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to use robotic microscope and telepathology software, and an ability to show frozen section slides via MS Teams for downtime procedure
• Batches specimens, cassettes and slides to be transported from MGH Waltham to MGH Main Campus
• Organizes workflow in the surgical pathology lab by distributing cases to other PAs and to residents, ensuring that specimens are triaged appropriately and in a timely manner
• Oversees specimen storage in the surgical pathology area, keeps records and discards specimens as necessary
• Develops, updates, and maintains procedure, safety and infection control manuals. Ensures that all appropriate procedures are followed in the surgical grossing area. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and monitors work area for appropriate use of PPE by others
• Able to perform all duties of the technical staff as needed, including accessioning, grossing of small biopsies, printing of cassettes, specimen discard.
• Communicates effectively with histotechnologists, as necessary, to ensure adequate embedding and/or sectioning of tissue. Able to troubleshoot cassette errors (duplicate blocks, missing blocks, etc.)
• Maintains awareness of specimen containers and cassettes. Responsible for following through the decalcification process and other special studies (cytogenetics, flow cytometry, etc.)
• Familiar with all special studies, to include Micro Array, Cytogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Immunofluorescence & Electron Microscopy

• Frozen section laboratory:

  
  
• Oversees all operation in the MGH Waltham Frozen Section lab, included but not limited to accessioning the specimen, selecting appropriate sections for frozen section, cutting the frozen, staining/coverslipping the slide and reviewing with the Pathologist via telepathology (MS Teams if there if telepathology software is down)
• Responsible for maintenance of all equipment in the MGH Waltham Frozen Section Lab, including cleaning/stocking of benches, removal of trash, chemical disposal, frozen section stain changeover and set-up and routine cryostat maintenance
• Packs up specimens (not grossed), cassettes and frozen section slide for transportation between MGH Waltham and MGH Main Campus
• May be called on to perform frozen sections, including gross description, selection of sections, cutting and staining (MGH Main Campus)
• May be called on to assist in the orientation or gross handling of specimens in the frozen section lab (MGH Main Campus)

• Autopsy:

  
  
• Ensures that proper and legal authorization has been obtained to perform a postmortem examination
• Arranges and coordinates the patient’s chart and other pertinent information for review with the Pathologist
• Performs autopsy including external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection and dictation or recording of data. Is aware of protocols to ensure that embalming can be done properly.
• Obtains biological specimens for analysis (blood cultures, viral cultures, toxicological materials, etc.)
• Summarizes clinical history and assists the pathologist in preparation of the preliminary anatomic diagnosis (PAD)
• Selects and submits tissue sections for microscopic examination, including special studies, as necessary
• Assures proper restoration of the body for acceptable release to funeral director, indicating any biohazards such as contagious diseases, radioactive implants, etc.
• Supervises dissection of tissues for special procedures such as research or teaching under the direction of the supervising Pathologist and maintains records of tissues used for these purposes.

• Teaching:

  
  
• Trains the PA student and oversees student activities.
• May assist pathology residents in orienting and grossing surgical pathology specimens.
• Oversees work performed by the technical staff in the surgical grossing areas; answers inquiries of the surgical pathology small grossing staff and assists them in their work

• Other

• May order and inventory, supplies and equipment as needed for surgical dissection
• Various other duties as assigned such as quality control reviews or review of OR schedule
• Interview PA and other candidates in the Surgical Pathology Laboratory

• Certification by ASCP is required
• Minimum of Baccalaureate degree, Master's degree in accredited Pathologists' Assistant Program is strongly preferred
• Extensive knowledge of human anatomy, tumor staging guidelines and medical terminology
• Extensive knowledge of how to approach wide variety of surgical specimens
• Knowledge of basic human pathology
• Knowledge of Universal Precautions and principles of laboratory safety.
• Working knowledge of histology techniques
• Must be able to read, write and speak English, understand procedure manuals, Universal Precautions, Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan Manuals
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills in person, over the telephone, via e-mail and other communication devices
• Must be able to speak clearly and work effectively with a dictation system
• Attentive to detail; must be precise in performing technical tasks
• Ability to follow established technical and clerical procedures
• Must have manual dexterity and motor coordination, able to manipulate sharp instruments.
• Must be able to lift approximately 20 pounds