Job Information
The Queen's Health Systems Pathology Assistant, Kona Hospital (DLS Big Island) in Kealakekua, Hawaii
RESPONSIBILITIES
Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) is Hawaii’s largest locally owned and operated clinical and anatomic pathology laboratory. DLS is proud to serve the communities of Hawaii, Guam and Saipan and utilizes state-of-the-art testing and value-based informatics to promote optimal patient care to positively impact patient lives.
SCHEDULE
Regular Full-Time Position
Must be available Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, weekends as needed.
Must be flexible with schedule changes to meet operational needs.
HIRING RANGE
$93,431.00 to $120,000.00 annually
Actual pay commensurate with experience
JOB SUMMARY
Performs and assists in surgical grossing, autopsy examinations and intraoperative consultations. Ensures that supplies, equipment and records are maintained in an orderly and efficient manner. Provides technical pathology expertise as appropriate. Accurately processes samples, operates and maintains diverse equipment and conducts tests. Ensures diligent analysis and quality results are available to providers and other healthcare professionals. Maintains patient confidentiality, adheres to safety regulations and stays up-to-date with laboratory practices. Works with a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable laboratory professionals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs surgical specimen examinations, dissections, gross descriptions and dictation. (60%)
• Under guidance of Pathologist(s), performs gross examination, description and dissection of surgical specimens.
• Gross all simple cases independently.
• Gross complicated and unusual cases after consultation with Pathologist, as appropriate.
• Performs accessioning.
• Prepares specimens to be transported and/or shipped to appropriate Laboratory for testing. Ensures proper International Air Transport Association (IATA) process is completed as required.
• Performs dictation.
• Acts as subject matter expert in the department.
• May function as a trainer for new pathology assistants, pathology assistant trainees and pathology technicians.
- Assists Pathologists/Residents with frozen section procedures. (15%)
• Responsible for frozen section, imprint preparation and special procedures.
• Assists with specimen collection for special procedures, reference lab send-out, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research projects and tissue banking.
• Prepares specimen slides for digital review by the Pathologist.
- Assists in the preparation and performance of autopsy examinations. (5%)
• Ascertains properly legal authorization for autopsy.
• Arranges and coordinates review of patient chart with resident and/or Pathologist.
• Positions body, performs gross dissection, dictates procedure.
• Prepares and stores tissue; assists with processing, assessing and identification.
• Photographs body organs and other specimens; maintains photography equipment.
• Assures proper restoration of body for release to funeral services; indicates any biohazard such as contagious disease, radioactive implants, etc. which may be present.
• Prepares clinical history and gross findings for autopsy report.
- Provides morgue services, follows all morgue procedures to meet regulatory requirements for the handling of bodies related to morgue duties. (5%)
• Follows the morgue documentation processes and logging systems for all deceased; stores logs and documentation and ensures information is kept safe and confidential.
• Performs handling, removal, and storage of deceased patients from the Emergency Department or facility patient floors in morgue refrigerators/refrigerated locker(s). Shall shroud, tag and log the deceased in accordance with regulatory requirements. Including sending deceased patients to off-site storage facilities as available.
• Assists with viewing of the patient’s body in coordination with social work/care and/or nursing administration.
• Assists with morgue census in coordination with medical records department.
• Certain locations require 24/7 hours, 7 days/week, 365 days/year.
- Equipment/Instrument/Supply maintenance. (10%)
• Maintains a clean, orderly work area and assures proper maintenance of instruments and equipment.
• Maintains adequate inventory of supplies, materials and equipment for grossing, frozen section and morgue areas.
• Immediately reports equipment/instrument issues to management.
Creates and maintains standard operating procedures (SOP). (5%)
Performs other duties as assigned.
Job expectations:
• Demonstrates clear, audience-focused and effective communication with Aloha.
• Reads, interprets and writes documents, such as policies, standard operating procedures and reports.
• Creates a positive work culture and environment.
• Models organizational values and contributes to quality improvements to support innovation.
• Builds collaborative relationships with teammates, shares ideas, supports others to achieve goals and has each other’s backs.
• Follows all safety and health regulations and works in accordance with DLS safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe and secure working environment.
• Provides excellent customer service to our internal and external customers with compassion and respect.
• Maintains and values the importance of attendance at work.
• Stays current on information and requirements to perform the job while embracing continuous learning to improve skills and knowledge.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality of information.
• Uses sound judgement, analytical skills and innovation while problem solving and takes appropriate and timely actions.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability by adjusting to shifts in priorities, demands, and procedures.
JOB DEMANDS
Typical Physical Demands:
• Requires manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination, and corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Able to distinguish and identify colors.
• Requires fine manipulation and simple grasping.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, gloves, eye protection, face shields and face masks.
• Able to sit up to two (2) hours on a continuously.
• Able to type/key up to three (3) hours intermittently.
• Operates microtome, tissue processor, computer, telephone, tissue embedder and other necessary laboratory equipment.
• Able to talk/dictate up to four (4) hours continuously.
• Able to lift, carry, push or pull supplies or equipment weighing up to thirty-five (35) pounds occasionally.
• Able to reach shoulder level; stoop and bend, twist body occasionally.
• Requires travel occasionally.
Typical Working Conditions:
• Work environment includes conditions common to a hospital/laboratory environment, including working directly with potentially hazardous chemicals and/or patients with communicable diseases. Potential for inadvertent skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• Exposure to fumes from formaldehyde, xylene and alcohol, chemicals, body fluids and communicable diseases.
• Generally works in an indoor, air-conditioned area.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in chemical or biological science or medical laboratory technology OR Associate degree in a chemical or biological science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or education/training as described in CLIA regulation 42CFR493.1489(b).
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical or related biological science from an accredited university.
• Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program.
Experience:
Required:
• One (1) year as a Pathology Assistant, completion of Pathology Assistant training program or related anatomical experience.
Preferred:
• Experience working in a hospital or reference Laboratory.
Certification:
Preferred:
• Current certification as a Pathologist’s Assistant by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Skills:
Required:
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both in verbal and written form.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Effective coaching skills.
• Exhibit effective decision making with good judgement.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar application.
• Familiar working with a Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Other Qualifications:
Required:
• Able to travel between business locations.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Vet