Pathologist Assistant

Position Summary

A pathologist’s assistant provides anatomic pathology services under the direction and supervision of an attending pathologist. A pathologist’s assistant is qualified to perform gross dissection, description, and submission of tissue specimens for surgical pathology examination, preparation of tissue specimens for intraoperative consultation/frozen section examination, and dissection and examination of organs and tissues during autopsy examination.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform gross dissection, description, and submission of tissue specimens for histologic processing and surgical pathology examination.

• Provide a detailed and accurate description of tissue specimens using an electronic dictation system.

• Perform gross dissection, description, and preparation of tissue specimens for intraoperative consultation/frozen section examination, including preparation of cryostat sections and smears/imprints and staining of slides for microscopic examination.

• Preparation and submission of tissue specimens and other biological specimens for special laboratory studies, including flow cytometric and molecular analyses.

• Perform dissection and examination of organs and tissues during an autopsy examination.

• Prepare for autopsy examination by obtaining patients’ medical records and arranging radiographic examinations.

• Perform gross and microscopic photography of specimens.

• Participate in teaching pathology residents in gross tissue dissection and description techniques, intraoperative consultation/frozen section examination, and autopsy dissection and examination.

• Assist in the preparation of materials for educational conferences.

• Assist with departmental quality assurance/quality improvement activities and compliance with all CLIA, CAP, TJC, and DC DOH standards.

• Clean and maintain surgical pathology, autopsy, and other equipment.

• Perform duties relating to the administrative maintenance of surgical pathology protocols, procedures, reports, and data

• Assist in standardizing and implementing new protocols and procedures, as necessary.

• May be exposed to disagreeable odors and infectious diseases; therefore, must take proper safety precautions necessary to protect their health and well-being.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master of Science degree from a NAACLS-accredited Pathologists’ Assistant training program.
• Graduated from an ACGME-accredited Anatomic Pathology residency training program

Licensure/Certifications

• Current and valid certification as a Pathologist Assistant by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• If you are a physician, then you must have graduated from an ACGME-accredited Anatomic Pathology residency training program and have an unrestricted medical license for the District of Columbia. The ASCP certification is waived.

Physical Requirements

• Sit, stand, bend, reach, and walk for long periods of time in an office setting.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull over 100 lbs. as part of the role.
• Regularly exposed to healthcare settings that may require personal protective equipment.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, calculator, copier machine, and other equipment.

About GW MFA

MFA physicians provide comprehensive patient care, offering one practice for the whole person with 52 medical and surgical specialties. As members of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences faculty, MFA providers are teachers and mentors for medical students, residents, fellows, and researchers preserving the rich tradition of academics, research, and healing. In addition to maintaining a closely integrated alliance with The George Washington University and The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) which is separately owned and operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), the GW MFA has active referring relationships with 12 area hospitals.

The GW MFA’s leading healthcare presence in the DC metro region is complemented by a network of community-based practices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Given its geographic location in central NW Washington, DC, and proximity to more than 175 resident embassies, the MFA continues to evolve its international clinical outreach.