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SSM Health
Mount Vernon, Illinois

Pathologist's Assistant Certified

Lab ProfessionalIncludes callNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$86K - $129K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

It's more than a career, it's a calling. IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon Worker Type: Regular Pay Range: $86,216.00 - $129,334.40 Pay Rate Type: Salary SSM Health values the skills and talents that each team member brings to our organization.

Compensation for this role is based on a variety of components including relevant experience, labor market, and other qualifications. The posted pay range for this position is what SSM Health reasonably expects, in good faith, to offer based on the circumstances at the time of posting.

SSM Health may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law. Job Summary: Under general direction, assists the pathologists in preparing and grossing anatomical specimens for routine histology testing and staining.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Assigns priorities and batches of the specimens. Trims, labels, processes and preserves specimens. Provides gross dictation of surgical tissue specimens under direct supervision of surgical pathologist.

Reviews gross dictation and slides prior to giving slides to the pathologist. Disposes of surgical tissue when appropriate. Prepares and maintains surgical tissues by properly registering accessioning, labeling and ensuring adequate fixation.

Prepares frozen sections by labeling, cutting, staining and preserving the specimens. Photographs specimens as needed. Assists the Radiologist and Pathologist in collection of fine needle aspirate specimens. Assures that working supplies are adequate. Files, rotates and transfers surgical slides and paraffin blocks.

May perform administrative and clerical duties as needed. Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on courses in anatomy and physiology or equivalent years of experience and education EXPERIENCE No experience required PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.

Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. Frequent keyboard use/data entry. Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping.

Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. Rare climbing.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 4923980235 Prfee PA-Pathology SSM Southern Illinois Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Benefits: SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.

Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).

Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday. Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members. Explore All

Benefits

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.

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Key Responsibilities

Assists pathologists in preparing and grossing anatomical specimens for routine histology testing and staining. Provides gross dictation of surgical tissue specimens and prepares frozen sections under supervision.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology or equivalent experience. Must hold a Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Anatomical specimen preparationSurgical tissue processingFrozen section preparationSpecimen labelingFine needle aspirate collectionPathology assistance

Pathology Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$108k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $108k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Lab Professional Jobs

4 matches · ranked by pay
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Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 5.1
Better work-life than 70% of Pathology (Lab Professional) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 76 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Mount Vernon

Median resident rent
$910/mo≈ 13% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
14 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About SSM Health

Hospitals and Health Care
St Louis, Missouri
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid Parental Leave
Flexible Payment Options (DailyPay)
Upfront Tuition Coverage
Comprehensive Benefits Package