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Lead Pathologists Assistant - Day Shift - Full Time

Job ID JR150343 Date posted 05/29/2024
San Diego, California
  • Copley Drive
  • Day
  • Regular
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Overview

Sharp Laboratory Services is dedicated to excellence in providing quality care with each specimen drawn and test performed. At Sharp, we encourage a career of lifelong learning along with a healthy work-life balance.

Whether you’re newly licensed or a seasoned lab professional, there’s a place for you in one of our many lab settings. With full support from management and opportunities for career advancement, we empower our lab professionals to grow with us.

Success Profile

Wondering what qualities it takes to be a successful laboratory professional at Sharp? Here are some of the traits we're looking for.

  • Analytical
  • Logical
  • Focused
  • Efficient
  • Results driven
  • Collaborative

Job Details

Hours:

Shift Start Time:

8 AM

Shift End Time:

4:30 AM

AWS Hours Requirement:

8/40 - 8 Hour Shift

Additional Shift Information:

Weekend Requirements:

As Needed

On-Call Required:

Yes

Hourly Pay Range (Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum):

$68.302 - $88.132 - $107.961


The stated pay scale reflects the range that Sharp reasonably expects to pay for this position.  The actual pay rate and pay grade for this position will be dependent on a variety of factors, including an applicant’s years of experience, unique skills and abilities, education, alignment with similar internal candidates, marketplace factors, other requirements for the position, and employer business practices.



What You Will Do
Provides the technical knowledge, expertise and judgment required to support the Sharp HealthCare (SHC) mission and scope of laboratory services.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 5 Years Grossing complex surgical pathology specimens.
  • 3 Years Supervisory experience.
  • Pathologist Assistant PA(ASCP) - ASCP Board of Certification -REQUIRED

Essential Functions
  • Analytical testing procedures
    Performs or assists with pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical test processes and evaluates results produced relative to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of disease.
    Obtain clinical histories.
    Describe gross features of tissue for processing (level 1), simple (level 2A, 2B) and complex (level 2C) surgical specimens according to standards of the profession.
    Prepare tissue samples for processing for light microscopy and special studies.
    Select samples for special studies such as research, chemosensitivity testing, flow cytometry, image analysis, cytogenetics, cultures, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, crystal identification etc.
    Perform special procedures including tumor triage, tumor banking, x-ray imaging.
    Demonstrate proficiency with selecting tissue for frozen sections, cutting frozen section blocks and staining frozen section and touch preparation slides, in a timely manner within the standards of quality.
    Teach pathologists' assistant students, Health Sciences high school students, pathology residents, medical students (when applicable).
    Photograph gross specimens and microscopic slides.
    Assist with specimen accessioning.
    Maintenance of surgical/autopsy pathology protocols, procedures, reports and data.
    Assure proper maintenance of equipment.
    Assist in preparation for accreditation inspections (CAP, Joint Commission).
    Performance of supervisory/management duties as delegated.
    Assure legal authorization for autopsy.
    Obtain medical records/charts for review and prepare the preliminary summarization of the clinical history.
    Coordinate any requests for special specimen sampling such as organ transplantation, research.
    Consult with attending pathologist to identify special techniques to be utilized during the examination, including cultures, toxicology, coronary artery perfusion, enucleation, etc.
    Perform postmortem examinations including external exam, in-situ organ inspection, evisceration, organ dissection and dictation of findings.
    Photograph the body, organs, microscopic slides and other pertinent materials.
    Completes processes without error using written policies, procedures and other appropriate resources; identifies issues in policies or procedures. SHC corporate commitment to compliance training principles are correctly and appropriately utilized when performing assigned procedures as written.
    Performs new procedures and policies within acceptable training time intervals; meets department turnaround time goals.
    Documents activities and results consistently, thoroughly and legibly; proofreads and double checks own work to minimize errors.
    Evaluates data for accuracy and verifies any questionable finding with thorough investigation and appropriate follow-through.
    Performs or assists with pre-analytical and post analytical procedures and demonstrates assessment of testing factors with regard to patient age and population specific groups.
  • Communication and teamwork
    Proactively initiates communication and works cooperatively with others to successfully complete work assignments.
    Demonstrates positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
    Completes documentation legibly, accurately, and timely.
    Stays informed through staff meetings, electronic communication, in-services, and educational opportunities.
    Establishes effective working relationships between internal and external customers.
    Seeks opportunities for feedback to improve effectiveness of own communication.
    Validates messages by clarifying expectations and verifying understanding of agreements/action plans and utilizing communication tools, such as Closed Loop and SBAR.
    Communicates, cooperates, collaborates and takes initiative to be an effective team member.
  • Demonstrates critical thinking
    Demonstrates emotional intelligence and critical thinking in job performance.
    Demonstrates appropriate and logical decisions, especially under critical and stressful situations.
    Demonstrates empathy to patients, coworkers, and all others encountered in the workplace.
    Able to troubleshoot in a logical, productive manner to reach an acceptable resolution.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability
    Uses time effectively and actively sets priorities.
    Demonstrates flexibility in work practices and adjusts to unscheduled situations.
    Cooperates with initiatives to improve work processes.
    Tries new ideas and new ways of doing things.
    Positively embraces and is receptive to change and actively participates in the process.
    Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to optimize the organization's financial success while delivering the highest quality of care and service.
  • Equipment use, testing and documentation
    Utilizes all equipment (including phone, copier, fax, etc.), instruments, products, and other tools per manufacturer's and training instructions and according to established procedures; facilitates issue resolution.
    Reports, documents and resolves or facilitates resolution of equipment/analyzers/tool/reagent issues and failures in a timely and efficient manner.
    Removes defective equipment from use, documents problem, and notifies appropriate personnel for repair; verifies equipment inspections are up-to-date. Follows through on problem resolution and validates equipment/analyzers performance post repair.
    Participates in analyzer and test methodology, evaluation, selection and validation, and provides input in decision-making processes.
    Demonstrates competency and efficient use of all tool applications (IT, PC, other system/software) and equipment to produce the end product. Demonstrates advanced competency of current software applications, including troubleshooting middleware issues, validating Auto-verification criteria, and working with vendor and IT to resolve software issues.
    Performs required preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment/analyzers/tools, including comprehensive validation of accuracy, complete documentation of work orders/issues and scheduled review of data/logs/reports as required by CLIA, CA State, CAP and other regulatory agencies.
    Actively manages inventory and demonstrates ability to evaluate consumables (reagent/supply) inventory to prevent shortages; alerts ordering personnel and proactively resolves immediate issues/shortages. With lab leadership approval, works with vendors to make appropriate changes to standing orders to meet business needs.
    Supervises and uses equipment and related applications in completing testing and documentation processes.
    Uses equipment and related applications in completing testing and documentation processes.
  • Leadership
    Collaborates with and advises Directors, Managers, Sr. Specialists, Leads and section staff in maintaining and enhancing technical, managerial, and financial performances.
    Assists in the development and enhancement of pathology services through collaboration with patient care and support services to provide optimal patient care.
    Develops and institutes policies and procedures to facilitate application of SHC corporate commitment to compliance guidelines.
    Acts as Technical Consultant regarding abnormal or unusual orders or results: interacts with staff and physicians to solve problems and provide interpretation of lab procedures and processes; may include oversight of near patient testing; performs technical lead duties.
    Apprises Senior Specialists, Lab Managers or Pathologists of conditions or situations that may be or are compromising quality of care.
    Supports and provides input for development, revisions, and implementation of policies and procedures to provide consistent quality lab services to all customers; participates in annual review of policies and procedures.
    Conducts regularly scheduled section meetings/huddles providing updates and communication to assigned staff; holds 4-5 section meetings and directs at least 6 subgroup meetings annually.
    Performs or provides input for performance appraisals and corrective action of assigned staff to Lab Manager/Director; completes performance appraisals within 30 days of anniversary date.
    Conducts or facilitates core and technical competency development and assessment of all assigned staff members.
    Adjusts for changes in workload and shifting of staff and skill mix; makes recommendations for staff utilization, development, and section process optimization.
    Reviews patient results with appropriate actions or coaching of staff when problems are found; assists Lab Manager/Director with personnel problem solving activities; including documentation and coaching with resolution, follow through, and prevention.
    Assists in maintaining CAP, JCAHO, CA State, FDA, and other accreditation and regulatory agency standards and regulations.
    Demonstrates emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and logical decision-making, especially under critical and stressful situations, to reach acceptable resolutions.
    Tracks employee attendance and applies corrective action following established policies.
  • Test processes by evaluating quality control systems, data and outcomes
    Supervises and performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical tests and processes by evaluating quality control systems, data, and outcomes.
    Completes and assesses QC performance, proficiency testing, test validation/calibration/linearity with indicated corrective action and resolution as needed, including scheduled review.
    Coordinates and completes processes to meet standards established to maintain quality testing, including collaboration and engagement in continuous improvement of processes.
    Has knowledge of and reviews and monitors compliance of quality assurance indicators; works with the laboratory team to meet/exceed the established thresholds. Maintains expected goals and implements action plans as needed.
    Completes, validates and monitors daily position tasks within expected timeframes to meet QA indicator goal expectations.
    Identifies errors and follows-through with investigation, correction, documentation, coaching and notification to appropriate caregiver and lab leadership.
  • Test processes relative to diagnosis, assessment and treatment
    Supervises and performs pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical test processes and evaluates results produced relative to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of disease.
    SHC corporate commitments to compliance training principles are correctly and appropriately utilized when performing assigned procedures as written.
    Completes testing procedures without error using written policies, procedures and other appropriate resources; identifies issues in and submits necessary revisions to policies and procedures.
    Performs new procedures and policies within acceptable training time intervals; meets/exceeds department turnaround time goals.
    Documents activities and results consistently, thoroughly and legibly; proof reads and double checks work in assigned section to achieve zero defects and zero harm.
    Reviews operational reports for possible clerical and analytical errors and make correction as necessary.
    Evaluates data for accuracy and verifies any questionable finding with thorough investigation and appropriate follow-through.
    Supervises and performs pre-analytical (patient reception, sample collection, processing) and analytical procedures and demonstrates assessment of testing factors with regard to patient age and population specific groups.

Sharp HealthCare is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability or any other protected class


Bachelor's Degree; Pathologist Assistant PA(ASCP) - ASCP Board of Certification

Culture

Our leadership team promotes wellness, reward and recognition, flexible scheduling and work-life balance.

We have empowered our team to create innovative ways of providing patient-centered care, such as our unique drive-thru phlebotomy service and incorporating aromatherapy and hand massage into our practice to create a healing environment for our patients. These innovative services have received numerous awards from our organization and Planetree.

Career Path

The mission of the Laboratory Education program is to educate laboratorians in accordance with the highest professional standards; provide them with skills and knowledge enabling them to provide excellence in patient care; and stimulate and promote lifelong learning.

This education is offered to clinical laboratory scientists and phlebotomists to help them enhance their skills while earning CEUs. Training courses and seminars are offered throughout the year on laboratory topics such as phlebotomy, safety, microbiology, hematology, chemistry and pathology.

Benefits

  • Medical, vision
    dental and more

    Our flexible benefits include a choice of two HMO medical plans (both of which include vision), two PPO dental choices, flexible spending accounts, accident insurance, long-term disability insurance and life insurance.

  • Generous vacation
    holiday and sick leave

    We offer one of the most generous plans among health care systems in San Diego, and new Sharp employees start with 25 days of paid time off in just the first year.

  • Wellness
    programs

    We focus on your overall well-being by giving you tools to improve both yourself and your life — mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and environmentally. Our focus is on balanced health and wellness to help you reach your health goals and enjoy life along the way.

  • Employee assistance
    program

    At Sharp, we understand that personal problems occasionally arise and you may need to seek outside professional advice. We’re here to help. Our employee assistance program helps employees develop and maintain a lifestyle that supports good health and productivity.

  • Retirement
    plans

    We’re proud to offer two retirement plans to match your needs. The Sharp$aver 401(a) plan matches your after-tax contributions and the 403(b) plan offers a long-term savings plan for pre-tax and Roth contributions with available loan and withdrawal provisions.

  • Educational opportunities
    and tuition reimbursement

    We support and encourage the growth and development of our employees through educational courses for credit in institutions of higher learning, continuing education programs (conferences, workshops, seminars) and specialty certification examinations.

  • Discount programs,
    perks and other benefits

    Our employees are eligible to participate in several group voluntary benefit plans — including group legal, college savings, critical illness insurance, group auto and home insurance and pet insurance.

We are Sharp

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