Pathologists Assistant
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Pathologists Assistant (Travel/Contract)

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Specialty: Laboratory
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Work in the Doan lab handling specimens primarily from the University Hospital OR.
• Majority of cases involve benign lesions (95%), with some colon cancer resections and native livers.
• Responsibilities include specimen procurement for research, tissue selection for karyotyping, and biopsy grossing as needed.
• May occasionally handle cancer cases from another lab depending on workload, but focus will be on benign cases and biopsies.
• Unit accepts first-time travelers but prefers candidates with prior experience.

Requirements

• Certification: Pathologists Assistant (PA) with ASCP certification.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years in specialty (Laboratory/Pathologists Assistant).
• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required; first-time travelers accepted.
• Must pass medical screening (vaccinations) and background check prior to start.

Certifications & Competencies

• Maintain current PA (ASCP) certification.
• Background checks including 7-year criminal history, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG monitoring.
• Education accreditation verification required (NAACLS accredited program for Pathology Assistants).
• Annual acknowledgment of Orientation Safety Manual.
• License verification within 30 days of start.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start confirming good health and free of contagious disease.
• Immunizations/vaccinations required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult dose after age 11/12, Tdap specifically required).
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year; TB questionnaire required annually.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters if low titer.
  • Hepatitis B: Titer or 3-vaccine series (declination acceptable).
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; medical exemptions reviewed.
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine or declination during flu season (10/1 - 3/31).
• COVID-19 vaccination not required but strongly recommended.

Background & Screening

• 7-year criminal background check required within 90 days of start, including FBI and BCI fingerprinting.
• Fingerprinting must be completed using specific Ohio codes; results must be current within 1 year of start.
• Pending background check attestation required if fingerprint results are pending at start.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 3 months of start; no pending drug screens allowed at start.

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references required; at least one must be from a manager or formal leadership.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Compliance with facility-specific policies including dress code, hand hygiene, fraud/waste/abuse training, and ethics/compliance policies.

Notes

• Candidates may renew BLS/ACLS certifications at the facility if needed.
• Unit-specific competency exams may be required.
• This position involves working in a hospital laboratory setting with occasional research specimen handling.

This role is ideal for a Pathologists Assistant with at least 2 years of experience looking for a travel contract in a university hospital lab setting, with a focus on benign pathology cases and some research specimen processing.