Description:
Job Summary:
The Pathology Laboratory Assistant is responsible for supporting daily laboratory operations by assisting with accessioning, specimen processing, slide and block management, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Special Stains, and digital pathology workflows. This position ensures accurate patient and specimen identification, timely case processing, quality control of slides and digital images, and efficient communication with laboratory staff and clinics. The Pathology Laboratory Assistant maintains compliance with CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and laboratory policies while helping support laboratory turnaround times and operational efficiency.
Pathology Laboratory Assistant Duties:
- Accession pathology cases into the Laboratory Information System (LIS) accurately and efficiently and assist with accessioning workflow as needed to support laboratory operations and turnaround times.
- Enter pathology orders, patient demographics, insurance information, and provider information into the system.
- Verify patient identifiers, specimen labeling, and requisition accuracy prior to accessioning.
- Review requisitions for completeness and follow laboratory specimen acceptance and rejection policies.
- Communicate efficiently and professionally with laboratory staff, providers, clinics, couriers, and management regarding specimen status, discrepancies, and workflow updates.
- Book and organize pathology slides and blocks for storage and retrieval.
- Load and unload Immunohistochemistry (IHC) instruments and assist with daily workflow preparation.
- Load and unload Special Stain instruments and maintain proper slide organization.
- Perform manual special stains according to laboratory procedures and protocols.
- Assist with digital pathology workflow, including loading and uploading slides into the digital pathology system.
- Perform quality control (QC) review of scanned digital slides to ensure image quality and completeness prior to pathologist review.
- Maintain proper specimens and slide identification throughout all laboratory processes.
- Assist with slide filing, archiving, and retrieval requests.
- Follow CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and laboratory safety and compliance requirements.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of laboratory work areas and equipment.
- Communicate workflow issues, discrepancies, or equipment concerns to laboratory leadership.
Requirements:
Education/Licensure/Certification:
- BS Degree in Science. Transcripts must be presented before start date.
Experience:
- Minimum of one year of medical transcription experience.
Equipment:
- Computers, computer programs, information system(s), photocopiers, scanners, facsimile machines, dictation machines, postal machines, and telephones.
- An assessment will be given on the first day of work that may include a typing test with the minimum standard of: 40 words per minute and 97% accuracy
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Good understanding of laboratory information systems and automated laboratory equipment.
- A critical thinker with strong attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Outstanding analytical abilities.
Physical Requirements:
- Physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to focus. Requires visual acuity and normal color perception.
HIPAA/PHI Security Level: HIGH (Low, Medium, or High)
Indicate the security access level of Protected Health Information (PHI) as necessary to perform essential key responsibilities of the position (access, utilize, disclose, store, and/ or dispose of PHI).
1. Low –information access is of general nature representing summary type data rather than specific identifiable demographic or sensitive data.
2. Medium – information access is specific to an individual’s demographics and service information (type of service, services received, dates of service, and provider of service).
3. High – information access is detailed and sensitive to an individual’s demographics, service information, and personal medical history (past/present medical conditions, specifics of medical diagnosis or tests, treatment plans, and family history).
All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of education, knowledge, skills and/or experience necessary to proficiently perform the job. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
Working Hours:
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday - Friday)
12:00 PM 8:00 PM
- Flexibility is required, as there may be occasions where coverage is needed as early as 6:00 AM (e.g., due to PTO or callouts).
