Pathologists' Assistant
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University Hospital

Job Opportunity: Pathologists' Assistant (Laboratory)

Location: Portland, Oregon
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 4 weeks

Job Description

• Work schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, 8-hour shifts (10:00 AM - 6:30 PM)
• Work locations: Main campus and CHH2 locations
• Provide services under supervision of Department Chair and Vice Chair for Anatomic Pathology
• Support university missions in teaching, research, patient care, outreach, and public service

Key Responsibilities

• Manage tissue handling and activities in gross pathology within Surgical Pathology
• Perform gross dissection, description, and case management based on resident staffing
• Prioritize urgent cases and ensure proper handling of special studies
• Maintain tissue banking and databases; coordinate with study coordinators, OR, Biolibrary, and Knight Tissue Bank lab
• Oversee maintenance and technical operations of frozen section areas
• Provide instruction, training, and supervision to residents, fellows, and PA students in gross dissection, dictation, frozen section prep, and gross pathology
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an AAPA certified program
• Passed the ASCP certification test
• Strong teaching aptitude
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Competency in current laboratory and office technology

Years of Experience Required: Not explicitly stated; assume entry-level to moderate experience based on certification requirements.

Prior Travel Experience: Not required

Certifications & Licenses

• ACLS (AHA Provider, traditional AHA only)
• BLS (AHA Provider, traditional AHA only)
• PALS (AHA Provider, traditional AHA only)
• NRP (AHA/AAP only)
• State License: Not required for Laboratory Assistants per job description

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Valid government-issued photo ID required on first day
• Background check within 6 months prior to start (includes education and work history verification, international searches if applicable)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days prior to start
• National Sex Offender Search within 30 days prior to start
• Drug testing: Negative 10-panel with methamphetamines listed, within 3 months prior to start
• Physical exam: Required to meet Aya standard (within 1 year of start)
• Fit mask test: Required within 1 year prior to start (specific mask types required)
• Immunizations and health documents:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (vaccine or signed declination)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 12 months
  • TB questionnaire required
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: Immune titer, 2 vaccines, or signed declination
  • Hepatitis B: Full vaccine series, immune titer, or signed declination
  • Varicella: Immune titer, 2 vaccines, or signed declination
  • Seasonal Flu vaccination or signed declination (deadline 12/01/2025)

Additional Requirements

• Two manager or supervisor references from the last 24 months required
• Employment application must include at least 7 years of work history with city and state for each position
• Skills checklist required within 1 year of start
• Facility-specific documents and policies must be reviewed and signed prior to start (e.g., professional appearance policy, job description, coronavirus protocol attestation)
• Completion of required online training modules prior to start (varies by role)

Summary

This is a travel contract position for a Pathologists' Assistant in a major academic medical center in Portland, Oregon. The role involves managing gross pathology operations, tissue handling, and training responsibilities. Candidates must be certified by AAPA and ASCP, have strong communication and teaching skills, and meet comprehensive background, health, and compliance requirements. The contract length is approximately 4 weeks with a Tuesday-Saturday schedule.