Renee Massong
Santa Ana
Summary
Pathologist Assistant with 19+ years in surgical pathology and laboratory operations, recognized for training and mentoring staff, optimizing workflows, and safeguarding CAP/CLIA compliance. Strong record supporting pathologists and residents, coordinating high-volume grossing and frozen section services, and leading quality initiatives that improve turnaround time, accuracy, and safety. Seeking to advance as AP Surgical Path Lab Supervisor at UCI Health to elevate team performance, reliability, and patient-care outcomes.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pathologist Assistant
UCI Health, Dept. of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
10.2024 - Current
- Coordinate daily surgical pathology operations across high-volume grossing and frozen section services; maintain accuracy, timeliness, and specimen integrity.
- Train and mentor new PAs and support staff.
- Monitor TAT, specimen labeling accuracy.
- Partner with histology, support staff and couriers to streamline accessioning → grossing → embedding flow; reduce handoff delays. Meet with PA’s daily to discuss triage for the day.
- Troubleshoot LIS/EHR issues (Epic, PowerPath/CoPath) and equipment; coordinate service calls.
- Support pathologists with intraoperative consultations and complex resections; ensure complete and accurate dictations (Dragon) and photographs.
- Praised in annual reviews for innovation, workflow improvements, and commitment to department success.
- Selected Performance Feedback – UCI Health
- “Consistently demonstrates the ability to thrive and develop innovative ideas aimed at enhancing workflow efficiency.”
- “Successfully established solutions that eliminated impediments to specimen submission accuracy.”
- “Demonstrates a profound commitment to their work and service to the department.”
- Achieved Overall Performance Rating: 8.0/8.0 (Surpassed expectations) across key deliverables and behaviors.
Pathologist Assistant
Affiliated Pathology Medical Group
05.2017 - 08.2024
- Maintained records of all specimens processed, including detailed notes on specimen types, gross examination, and any abnormalities noted during processing.
- Documented information pertinent to individual cases in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.
- Monitored quality and control measures within the laboratory setting.
- Ensured compliance with safety protocols when handling hazardous materials.
- Prepared tissues for further study using various techniques such as embedding, cutting, staining, or freezing.
- Attended conferences and workshops related to pathology topics.
- Assisted with training new personnel in pathology laboratory procedures.
Pathologist Assistant
Schwalb Consulting/JIT Labs
02.2016 - 12.2022
- Supervised or instructed new technicians on laboratory protocols
- Assisted with training new personnel in pathology laboratory procedure.
- Ordered, collected and prepared specimens for testing or analysis.
- Documented information pertinent to individual cases in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures.
- Monitored quality control measures within the laboratory setting.
Education
Master of Health Science - Pathologists’ Assistant
Quinnipiac University
01.2005
B.S. - Molecular Cell Biology / Criminology
Cal State University, San Marcos
01.2001
Skills
- Team leadership, training & scheduling
- Surgical pathology: complex grossing, frozen section support, Mohs
- Workflow optimization, TAT improvement
- CAP/CLIA readiness, SOPs, QC/QA, incident response
- Equipment implementation & troubleshooting; safety & biohazard protocols
- Cross-functional communication with pathologists, residents, histology & OR
- LIS/EHR: Epic, PowerPath, CoPath; Dragon dictation; MyChart
- Epic (Classic/Hyperdrive), PowerPath, CoPath, MyChart, Dragon Medical One; cryostats, embedding stations, microtomes; biosafety cabinets; routine and derm/Mohs workflows
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- PA (ASCP), certified since 2005
- American Association of Pathologist Assistants (AAPA) – Member
- American Society for Mohs Surgery – Histotechnology Course (2012)
- ICF Member (2024)
- HIPAA compliance; lab safety training (current)
Timeline
Pathologist Assistant
UCI Health, Dept. of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
10.2024 - Current
Pathologist Assistant
Affiliated Pathology Medical Group
05.2017 - 08.2024
Pathologist Assistant
Schwalb Consulting/JIT Labs
02.2016 - 12.2022
B.S. - Molecular Cell Biology / Criminology
Cal State University, San Marcos
Master of Health Science - Pathologists’ Assistant
Quinnipiac University
ASCP certified since 2005
ASCP certified since 2005
AAPA member
Moh's Certification Nov 2012
ICF member 2024