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 pr