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Surgical Pathology Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trinity Health

Pathology Assistant

Davenport, IA · On-site

This role plays a critical part in supporting diagnostic services through surgical pathology ... This is an excellent opportunity for a Pathology Assistant who enjoys a mix of grossing, and ...

Trinityhealth

Pathology Assistant

Davenport, IA

This role plays a critical part in supporting diagnostic services through surgical pathology ... This is an excellent opportunity for a Pathology Assistant who enjoys a mix of grossing, and ...

Trinity Health

Pathology Assistant

Davenport, IA

This role plays a critical part in supporting diagnostic services through surgical pathology ... This is an excellent opportunity for a Pathology Assistant who enjoys a mix of grossing, and ...

PRIDE Health

Travel Pathology Assistant

Needham, MA · On-site

$2.6K - $2.7K/wk

Pathology Assistant * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Start Date: 08/17/2026 * Duration ... Key Responsibilities * Gross and examine surgical pathology specimens following laboratory ...

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Surgical Pathology Assistant information

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$62

How much do surgical pathology assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgical pathology assistant in the United States is $27.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Surgical Pathology Assistant vs Histotechnologist?

AspectSurgical Pathology AssistantHistotechnologist
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related fieldRequires a bachelor's degree and histotechnology certification
Work EnvironmentWorks in pathology labs assisting with specimen grossing and processingWorks in histology labs preparing tissue slides for microscopic examination
Employer & IndustryHospitals, medical labs, pathology practicesMedical laboratories, hospitals, research institutions

The Surgical Pathology Assistant and Histotechnologist roles share some overlap in laboratory settings but differ mainly in responsibilities. The assistant focuses on gross examination and specimen handling, while the histotechnologist prepares tissue slides for diagnosis. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in pathology or histology labs, making them complementary in the diagnostic process.

How to become a surgical pathology assistant?

To become a surgical pathology assistant, one typically needs a bachelor's degree in a biological or health science field, followed by completion of a histotechnologist or cytotechnologist program. Many employers prefer candidates with certification from organizations like the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and relevant laboratory experience. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or additional specialized training in pathology techniques.

What is a surgical pathology assistant?

Surgical Pathology Assistants are specialized healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of pathologists to assist with the examination, dissection, and processing of tissue specimens from surgeries and biopsies. They play a crucial role in preparing samples for microscopic evaluation, ensuring accurate diagnoses. Their responsibilities can include gross examination, specimen dissection, and documentation, as well as overseeing laboratory workflow. Surgical Pathology Assistants typically work in hospitals, clinics, or laboratories and require specialized training, often through an accredited pathology assistant program.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surgical pathology assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Surgical Pathology Assistant, you need a solid background in biological sciences, specimen grossing, and laboratory protocols, often supported by a bachelor's degree and specialized training in pathology assistance. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), specimen tracking software, and standard laboratory equipment is crucial. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for ensuring accurate specimen processing, maintaining patient safety, and supporting efficient diagnostic workflows.

How does a surgical pathology assistant typically collaborate with pathologists and laboratory staff during specimen processing?

Surgical Pathology Assistants work closely with pathologists and laboratory technicians to ensure accurate and efficient specimen processing. They often receive, examine, and dissect surgical specimens under the supervision of a pathologist, documenting findings and preparing tissue samples for further analysis. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as the assistant must relay critical observations and follow specific protocols to maintain specimen integrity. This teamwork helps support timely and accurate diagnoses, which are vital for patient care.
More about Surgical Pathology Assistant jobs
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Surgical Pathology Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surgical Pathology Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,122 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Pathologist Assistant - Pathology - Bayfront Hospital

BHSP Pathology

Saint Petersburg, FL • On-site

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Surgical Pathology Assistant

Responsible for the organization and efficient and effective operation of the surgical pathology suite and the anatomic pathology service. This may comprise personnel management including supervising accessioners, lab aides, grossing technicians, and transcriptionists in the surgical pathology suite and autopsy technicians/morgue assistants in the autopsy room; writing and reviewing surgical pathology and autopsy procedures; inventory control; laboratory operations such as quality assurance, quality control, accreditation inspection preparation, and budgeting; and in the academic setting, supervision of learners.

Responsibilities
  • Surgical Pathology - Preanalytical Tasks
    • Assure proper specimen collection and submission prior to accessioning.
    • Assist clinicians with specimen collection questions, triage of limited samples, and esoteric testing.
    • Assure appropriate specimen accessioning and/or verification of unique patient identifiers.
    • Assure proper specimen handling and fixation prior to processing.
    • Obtain and review pertinent clinical information and history, including imaging studies, laboratory results, and operative records.
    • Discuss cases and history with surgeons, clinicians, and pathologists.
  • Macroscopic Description and Dissection
    • Perform the macroscopic description and dissection of all surgical specimens ranging from simple to complex cases including pertinent macroscopic information for the staging of complex cancer cases.
  • Tissue Sampling
    • Prepare and submit tissue sections for light microscopy.
    • Obtain samples for ancillary studies including, but not limited to:
      • Tumor triage
      • Lymphoma protocol
      • Flow cytometric analysis
      • Immunofluorescence
      • Immunohistochemistry
      • Microbial cultivation
      • Molecular microbiology
      • Cytogenetic analysis
      • Electron microscopy
      • Tissue banking and clinical trials
      • Research
      • Microarray
      • Institutional tumor registries
  • Perform Surgical Pathology Special Procedures including, but not limited to:
    • Decalcification
    • Frozen section (tissue selection, dissection, embedding, mounting, cutting/staining, coverslipping)
    • Intraoperative consultation for evaluation of macroscopic specimen adequacy and margins
    • Muscle biopsy preparation
    • Assessment of renal biopsy specimens for adequacy by evaluation of the presence of glomeruli
    • Nerve biopsy orientation and preparation
    • Heart and other transplant biopsy preparation
    • Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy preparation
    • Touch preparations/imprints/squash preparations
    • Tumor mapping
    • Bone saw operation
  • Imaging
    • Specimen photomacrography
    • Photomicrography
    • Specimen radiography
    • Slide scanning
  • Postanalytical Tasks
    • Review of macroscopic description transcription.
    • Microscopic triage of surgical pathology cases for quality control and quality assurance purposes.
    • Coding
    • Verify the accuracy and editing of CPT codes.
    • Assign, review, and edit SNOMED codes.
    • Store and properly dispose of specimens.
    • Assist in the organization and coordination of surgical pathology conferences.
    • Assure proper maintenance of equipment and provision of adequate supplies.
Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Pathology Assistant or equivalent required.
  • ASCP BOC Pathologists' Assistant Certified preferred.

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