Pathologist Assistant, Pathology

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career! 

JOB SUMMARY
The position is expected to assist surgical pathologists in handling surgical specimens including specialized grossing functions  of all levels of complexity; taking the lead on hospital frozen section procedures on a daily basis; procuring tissue for research and acting as liaison between Pathology and Tissue Banking for new IRBs; Accurately prepping whole-organ cases for proper fixation in line with CAP cold ischemic time guidelines for proper formalin fixation, assisting with autopsies and photographing specimens as appropriate; and participating in administrative, quality assurance and control activities in gross room. Other duties include teaching and training residents and fellows rotating through the gross room.    Specialized skills: Specific skills and expertise are needed to handle the complex cases on the rise as surgeons continue to be hired at CUH. Certified PA (ASCP) applicants only, although both low and high complexity testing may be required as a part of expected duties.

Flexibility: M-F 40hr/week, to include possible weekend or hours outside of "normal operation" hours as warranted by surgery scheduling.

 

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100%25 coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education
  Master's Degree as Pathologists' Assistant certification or eligible for certification as a Pathologists' Assistant by American Association of Pathologists' Assistants or other recognized accrediting agency. 
  New graduates must be withing four (4) months of expected graduation date, and in good standing with their accredited program, to be considered for hire, and must be able to successfully pass PA Certification exam within the first 90 days of hire. 
   

• Licenses and Certifications
  New graduates must be able to successfully pass PA Certification exam within the first 90 days of hire within 90 Days 
   

JOB DUTIES

• Preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical specimens including a) assuring appropriate specimen accessioning; b) obtaining pertinent clinical information and history, including scans, x-rays, lab data, etc; c) describing gross anatomic features of surgical specimens, preparing tissues for histological processing, obtaining biological samples such as blood, tissue and toxicological material for studies such as flow cytometry, image analysis, immunohistochemistry, etc. and performing requisite special procedures; d) preparing and submitting appropriate tissue sections for light microscopy as well as special procedures such as frozen section, electron microscopy and immunoflourescence microscopy; e) photographing appropriate specimens and microscopic slides.
• Assist pathologists or pathology residents in gross and microscopic examination of surgical and autopsy specimens, including specimen photography and tissue blocking. Conferring with the attending pathologist(s) to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of examination (e.g. cultures smears; histochemical, immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral or electron microscopic studies, etc.), and notifying all personnel directly involved.
• Train (under faculty supervision) new residents in performance of autopsy and surgical gross dissections, specimen photography, and trimming in tissue blocks for histology. Coordinates patient care and teaching conferences including retrieval of clinical and laboratory data, radiographic studies, pathologic materials and specimen photographs. Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.
• Maintain banks of fixed frozen tissues. Maintain databases of specimens, photographs, conference proceedings, and teaching materials. Develop best practices for surgical pathology specimen processing.
• Develop and maintain quality control/quality assurance programs.
• Assures proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies, and cleanliness of laboratory area.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.