Job Title: Tissue Technician / Pathology Assistant
Job Description
This role focuses on the gross examination, preparation, and processing of surgical tissue specimens to support accurate and timely pathological diagnosis. The Tissue Technician / Pathology Assistant will handle a high volume of cases daily, perform grossing and frozen sections, prepare slides for microscopic evaluation, and ensure precise specimen tracking and documentation within the laboratory information system.
Responsibilities
-
Dissect and gross a wide variety of surgical specimens, including biopsies and complex cancer sections, following established pathology protocols.
-
Inspect specimens visually, describe and measure tissue, apply inking when needed, and section tissue for further processing and diagnosis.
-
Perform frozen section procedures as required to support rapid diagnostic needs.
-
Scan slides into the computer system for accurate tracking and deliver slides with corresponding requisitions to pathologists.
-
Prepare specimens for logging or transport, ensuring all materials are correctly labeled and documented.
-
Set up and maintain the grossing area, ensuring it is clean, organized, and fully stocked with necessary supplies.
-
Perform routine and non-routine activities involved in the preparation of slides for microscopic evaluation, adhering to all laboratory policies and procedures.
-
Ensure proper specimen accessioning and labeling of all tissue samples, handling 100+ cases daily with a high degree of accuracy.
-
Process paperwork related to accessioning and reporting, maintaining clear and complete records.
-
Perform gross tissue examination (high complexity testing) when personnel qualifications are met, using visual inspection to obtain diagnostic information.
-
Receive specimens, accession and assign cases, and gross cases in alignment with courier pick-up schedules to ensure timely workflow.
-
Submit tissue blocks within required timeframes to support efficient processing and diagnosis.
-
Answer doors and phones, triage and direct calls appropriately, and provide responsive communication with internal and external contacts.
-
Pull and file slides, print reports, and manage check-in and send-out of materials to maintain accurate inventory and case tracking.
-
Handle tissue disposal according to laboratory policies and regulatory requirements.
-
Perform general laboratory maintenance tasks to support a safe, clean, and efficient work environment.
-
Provide assistance to pathologists and pathology staff as needed, supporting daily operations and special requests.
-
Carry out specimen processing tasks related to phlebotomy and inpatient specimen handling as required by the laboratory.
Essential Skills
-
Experience with tissue cutting in a hospital setting, with at least one year of relevant hands-on experience.
-
Proficiency in grossing surgical specimens, including biopsies and complex cancer sections.
-
Ability to perform frozen sections and prepare tissue for rapid diagnostic evaluation.
-
Strong skills in specimen accessioning, labeling, and tracking for high-volume workflows (100+ cases daily).
-
Competence in preparing slides for microscopic evaluation according to laboratory policies and procedures.
-
Experience in specimen processing within an inpatient or hospital laboratory environment.
-
Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, paperwork processing, and report handling.
-
Ability to perform high complexity gross tissue examinations when qualified.
-
Effective communication skills for answering phones, directing calls, and interacting with pathology staff.
-
Organizational skills to manage multiple cases, maintain logs, and meet courier pick-up schedules.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s degree highly preferred over an associate’s degree.
-
Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology is strongly preferred.
-
Educational including at least 60 semester hours or equivalent, with 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses.
-
Science coursework should include a minimum of 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours in any combination of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology.
-
Experience with phlebotomy and inpatient specimen processing is beneficial.
-
Ability to work early morning shifts and adapt to schedule adjustments as needed.
-
Commitment to following laboratory policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
-
Interest in professional development and continuous learning supported by resources such as online training platforms and care roadmap programs.
Work Environment
This position is based in a pathology laboratory environment that supports high-volume surgical and biopsy specimen processing. The role follows a weekday schedule, Monday through Friday, currently from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the possibility of an earlier shift (approximately 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) when staffing changes occur. Work involves extended periods in the grossing area and at laboratory benches, handling tissue specimens, slides, and related materials, and using laboratory information systems for accessioning and tracking. The environment requires adherence to strict safety and quality standards, with routine laboratory maintenance and tissue disposal tasks. Team members wear scrubs as the standard dress code and collaborate closely with pathologists, pathology staff, and other laboratory personnel in a structured, process-driven setting. Access to benefits such as discount and perks programs, care support resources, and online learning platforms enhances the overall work experience.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Riverside, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $26.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Riverside,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
