PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT - FULL TIME

The Toledo Clinic

The Toledo Clinic

Toledo, OH, USA
Posted on Feb 7, 2026

General Summary:

The Pathology Laboratory Assistant works closely with pathologists, histotechnologists, and administrative staff to support daily anatomic pathology operations. This role assists in the receipt, accessioning, processing, and routing of histology specimens, ensuring proper handling and accurate identification to support high-quality patient care and diagnostic accuracy. The Laboratory Assistant supports histology workflows including embedding, processing, staining, and slide preparation, as well as send-out coordination, documentation, and tracking of consults and additional studies. This position also performs clerical and administrative duties such as answering phones, faxing reports and information, maintaining files, updating CAP inspection binders, managing inventory and supplies, receiving and organizing deliveries, and ensuring work areas and equipment are clean and properly maintained. The individual must effectively prioritize workload, work collaboratively within the department, and demonstrate attention to detail while using laboratory equipment and computer systems. Other duties as assigned.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

Example of Essential Duties:

  1. Collects and accessions specimens daily, including proper accessioning of cytopathology specimens
  2. Performs histology procedures on specimens, including embedding, processing, staining (routine H&E), and coverslipping
  3. Coordinates, sends, and tracks all consults, second opinions, and send-out testing, including FISH, special stains, and IHC, ensuring complete documentation, proper packaging, and timely shipment
  4. Tracks send-out cases for consults, FISH, special stains, and IHC testing; monitors turnaround times and follows up on outstanding results
  5. Ensures all required requisitions, reports, and supporting documentation for send-out testing are complete, accurate, and properly filed
  6. Communicates with reference laboratories, couriers, and physician offices regarding send-out testing status, requirements, and results
  7. Performs chemical hazardous waste disposal according to current operating policies and procedures
  8. Files patient blocks and slides for storage in accordance with departmental policy
  9. Performs clerical functions and labels bottles, cassettes, and slides as required
  10. Loads and unloads staining instrumentation and assists with routine laboratory workflow
  11. Works with fellow team members to properly triage specimens and efficiently move samples through all phases of testing
  12. Faxes information to physician offices and clinics as requested and according to departmental policy
  13. Receives, opens, and distributes incoming packages and shipments; verifies contents, puts away supplies, and routes items to appropriate areas
  14. Maintains laboratory equipment, ensures areas are properly stocked with supplies, performs inventory counts, and ensures workspace cleanliness
  15. Cleans equipment and small instruments; performs simple inspection and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
  16. Conducts routine quality control checks on equipment (e.g., temperature monitoring and documentation)
  17. Performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties, including answering telephones, maintaining records, responding to inquiries from other departments, communicating with external staff or sources, and relaying messages to appropriate personnel
  18. Proofreads pathology reports for accuracy, completeness, and formatting
  19. Assists with end-of-day case review to verify testing completion and report status
  20. Reviews pathology cases for appropriate CPT code capture at the end of the day and communicates missing or discrepant charges to appropriate personnel
  21. Assists with finalizing pathology reports by confirming receipt of send-out results, verifying
  22. Assists with CAP inspection readiness, including organizing documentation, maintaining inspection materials, and updating departmental binders with current policies and procedures
  23. Follows policies and procedures for storage length and proper disposal of blocks, slides, surgical specimens, requisitions, and reports
  24. Performs tasks involved with creating slides and/or cell blocks
  25. Assists in cytology adequacy assessments as directed
  26. Prepares specimens for analysis, including manual processing (centrifugation, aliquoting, and routine maintenance)
  27. Maintains accurate logs and records related to send-out testing, CPT review, CAP documentation, and finalized reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
  28. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned by their supervisor
  29. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by management to support departmental and operational needs

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Required:

- Excellent interpersonal skills required.

- Able to adapt to different working environments.

- Consistently arrives at work, in professional attire, on time

- Completes tasks within established time frame.

- Seeks appropriate tasks when primary tasks are completed and assists co-workers as needed

- Demonstrates adaptability to expanded roles.

-Adheres to clinic’s policies and procedures.

Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience:

1 to 2 years of lab experience (preferred)