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Pathologists' Assistant / Histology - NWH Sur&Sp Care
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Pathology/Lab Medicine department, clinical and laboratory professionals support accurate diagnoses, research initiatives, and patient care through advanced pathology services. The Pathologist Assistant plays a critical role in supporting anatomic pathology operations and collaborating with pathologists to ensure high-quality specimen evaluation and documentation.
The Pathologist Assistant provides specialized assistance in anatomic pathology under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. The Pathologist Assistant performs tissue grossing and dissection activities, supports laboratory compliance and quality initiatives, and assists with education and workflow oversight. The Pathologist Assistant also contributes to operational excellence by maintaining accurate records, coordinating training activities, and supporting surgical pathology and autopsy laboratory functions across UT MD Anderson.
The ideal candidate will possess the education, experience, and professional credentials necessary to perform tissue grossing, specimen dissection, pathology laboratory operations, quality assurance activities, workflow coordination, and training responsibilities in a surgical pathology and autopsy laboratory environment.
Shift / Hours: Monday - Friday / 9am - 6pm
Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, the Pathologist Assistant directly contributes to the institution’s mission by supporting accurate pathological diagnoses, research activities, laboratory quality standards, and patient care outcomes. This role offers opportunities to collaborate with expert pathology professionals, participate in education and training initiatives, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts in a highly specialized healthcare environment while benefiting from comprehensive employee programs that support professional growth and work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Anatomic Pathology Services
- Perform gross description and dissection of tissues removed during surgery
- Select and submit specimens for histological, microbiological, immunological, and specialized testing
- Review and summarize relevant patient information for pathology evaluation
- Provide patient medical history information to pathologists
- Verify proper documentation for tissue use in research activities
Autopsy & Postmortem Operations
- Direct autopsy technical personnel during laboratory operations
- Function as prosector for postmortem examinations
- Review and verify documentation for postmortem examination activities
- Assist with oversight of surgical pathology and autopsy laboratory operations
Training & Education
- Participate in the education of technical staff regarding tissue grossing techniques
- Coordinate training of Surgical Pathology fellows, residents, and students
- Support instruction related to tissue grossing procedures and best practices
- Contribute to competency development activities within the laboratory
Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Maintain patient and procedure data related to workload and quality assurance activities
- Ensure compliance with accrediting agency requirements for pathology laboratory operations
- Document competency testing activities
- Document quality improvement initiatives
- Assist with development and maintenance of laboratory procedure manuals
Operations & Workflow Management
- Assist section management with oversight of personnel and laboratory operations
- Direct workflow issues related to the collection of patient tissue
- Collaborate with others to develop patient data and report templates
- Maintain accurate operational records and workload data
- Perform other duties as assigned
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Required: Ability to provide assistance in the area of anatomical pathology under the direction and supervision of a pathologist
- Preferred: Experience supporting tissue grossing, specimen dissection, pathology laboratory operations, quality assurance activities, compliance programs, workflow coordination, and educational initiatives in surgical pathology and autopsy laboratories
EDUCATION
- Required: Graduation from accredited Pathologist Assistant Program or
- Required: Bachelor's Degree Biological or allied health sciences.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Required: No experience required if graduated from an accredited Pathologist Assistant Program. or
- Required: 3 years Experience performing gross examination and evaluation of human surgical and/or autopsy specimens is required with a Bachelor's degree.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Required: PA(ASCP) - Pathologists' Assistant American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). within 180 Days
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
