LAB ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION: LAB ASSISTANT

REPORTS TO:

LABORATORY MEDICAL DIRECTOR

LABORATORY MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

DEFINITION OF POSITION:

The Grossing Techs are academically and practically trained to provide accurate and timely processing of a variety of laboratory specimens, including comprehensive macroscopic examination and evaluation of all surgical pathological specimens. They are qualified by formal academic and practical training to perform the following tasks under the direction and supervision of a licensed, Board Certified or Board Eligible Anatomic Pathologist:

LABORATORY FUNCTIONS

Preanalytical Tasks

Assure proper specimen collection and submission before accessioning.

Assure appropriate specimen accessioning and/or verification of unique patient identifiers.

Assure proper specimen handling and fixation before processing.

Obtain and review pertinent clinical information and history, including imaging studies, laboratory results, and operative records.

Analytical Tasks

Perform Macroscopic Description and Dissection

the macroscopic description and dissection of all surgical specimens ranging from simple to complex cases including pertinent macroscopic information for the staging of complex cancer cases.

Tissue Sampling:

Prepare and submit tissue sections for light microscopy.

Postanalytical Tasks

Review of macroscopic description transcription.

Microscopic triage of surgical pathology cases for quality control and quality assurance purposes.

Coding:

Verify the accuracy and editing of CPT codes.

Assign, review, and edit SNOMED codes.

Store and properly dispose of specimens.

Assist in the organization and coordination of surgical pathology conferences.

Assure proper maintenance of equipment and provision of adequate supplies.

Laboratory Operations

Regulatory

Aid in laboratory accreditation inspection.

Assist in monitoring compliance with regulatory agencies (e.g., The Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists [CAP], and state and local accrediting agencies).

Quality Improvement

Prepare and maintain quality assurance monitors (e.g., frozen section/permanent section concordance/discordance, turn-around-time reports).

Participate in quality assurance/process improvement activities.

Participate in general problem-solving and troubleshooting in pathology technical issues.

Review of microscopic slides for section adequacy (not diagnostic interpretation).

Safety

Apply laboratory safety governmental regulations and standards as practical to anatomic pathology.

Monitor compliance with safety regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA).

Implement appropriate safety procedures about specific biohazards (e.g., TB, CJD, COVID-19)

Participate in safety training (e.g., chemical hygiene, infection control), avoid biological hazards, and practice proper use of personal protective equipment.

Maintain the cleanliness of the surgical and autopsy pathology suites, gross station, and instruments with daily disinfection.

Laboratory Information Systems

Responsibilities may involve analysis, design and implementation including:

Data gathering and analysis of methods and procedures

Design recommendations in the form of user proposals

Operational instructions

Computer program specifications

Implementation and support involving systems testing

User training

Telepathology systems