Pathology Specialist

Summary This position is located in the VA Medical Center in San Diego, CA. The Pathology Specialist is an allied health professional, qualified by academic and practical training to assist in providing technical and administrative assistance, oversight and coordination of all services in Anatomic Pathology. The purpose of this position is to manage the operations of the Anatomic Pathology section within a large, high complex medical center laboratory. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of every type of surgical pathology specimens. Provides description of tissue received from surgery (includes noting size, color, consistency and anatomic orientation). Cuts specimens to preset optimal specimen detection for microscopic examination, pathologic diagnosis and cancer staging. Removes and dissects visceral organs, brain and spinal cord in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or anatomic variation by sectioning various tissues and body fluids for further examination. Performs autopsies, with or without an autopsy assistant, by correlating the gross pathology with the patient's clinical presentation and preparing external and internal descriptions. Prepares the body for pickup by a funeral home; orders special studies (such as cultures, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, electron microscopy) and provides interpretation. Prepares frozen tissue sections and other tissue sections within or outside of the histology department. Performs on complex instruments such as cryostat, cameras, and automatic tissue processor, including IHC, with knowledge sufficient to locate and correct technical and mechanical malfunctions. Maintains regulatory compliance related to his or her duties on a daily basis. Maintains regulatory compliance including reviewing regulatory criteria, ensuring all procedures and protocols are current with regulatory standards, preparing work areas for inspection, and participating in inspections as required. Develops and/or revises standard operating procedures by establishing performance standards to improve or extend test systems, including evaluating, modifying, or adapting new methods to meet testing requirements. Oversees the morgue for adherence to facility and regulatory safety, quality control, and privacy regulations. Assists in the collection, reporting, and interpretation of data for Anatomic Pathology QA programs, participates in the PALMS QA committee, makes recommendations, and directs and implements approved quality improvement initiatives. Provides instruction at the bench and through discussion of relevant topics, including evaluating, selecting, organizing, and adapting educational, training, and resource materials for teaching programs. Educates and trains residents in pathology, other medical specialties, and medical students regarding the practice of Anatomic Pathology and Autopsy, including creating special study rotations to introduce new technologies and processes and constructing learning modules. Participates in the orientation and training of new employees, residents, and students in Anatomic Pathology. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30pm - 5:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing while performing gross examinations and teaching others to do so, recurrent bending when performing frozen sections and autopsies, sitting, intense concentration in noisy and congested areas, and walking moderate distances between alternate work sites. It occasionally involves moving human bodies and lifting objects under 50 pounds. Performance of duty requires above average manual dexterity in dissecting specimens and cutting frozen sections good, hand-eye coordination, and normal color vision in order to properly interpret specimens with regard to staining, etc. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See

Created: 2026-04-06