Pathology Materials Coordinator
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Receive and log incoming specimens and related paperwork
- Label and prepare materials for testing and storage
- Coordinate specimen transport between collection sites, pathology, and external labs
- Maintain chain of custody records and tracking logs
- Monitor storage conditions such as temperature and expiration dates
- Organize inventory of supplies such as containers, labels, and preservatives
- Resolve missing information by coordinating with clinical staff
- Support compliance with laboratory safety and privacy rules
- Prepare materials for send-out testing and confirm shipping requirements
- Assist with reporting issues such as damaged samples and process delays
- Keep work areas clean and follow biohazard handling procedures
- Contribute to process improvement by spotting repeat problems and proposing fixes
Top Skills for Success
Attention to Detail
Organization
Written Communication
Customer Service
Time Management
Problem Solving
Specimen Accessioning
Sample Labeling
Chain of Custody Documentation
Cold Storage Handling
Inventory Management
Laboratory Information System Usage
Shipping Coordination
Safety Compliance
Patient Privacy Compliance
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Pathology Assistant
Laboratory Coordinator
Laboratory Supervisor
Quality Coordinator
Specimen Processing Lead
Transition Opportunities
Histology Technician
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Coordinator
Operations Coordinator
Supply Chain Specialist
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Laboratory Information System ProficiencyChain of Custody DocumentationShipping Regulations AwarenessQuality DocumentationTemperature Log Management
Development SuggestionsAsk to shadow a senior coordinator during specimen intake and send-out processing, practice clean and consistent documentation, and complete basic training on the lab tracking system used at your site. Build a simple checklist routine for labeling, storage checks, and exception handling to reduce errors.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 38,000 to 48,000
Mid LevelUSD 48,000 to 62,000
Senior LevelUSD 62,000 to 78,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand. Hiring is supported by ongoing medical testing needs, growth in outpatient care, and increased focus on quality and traceable sample handling.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Quest DiagnosticsLabcorpMayo ClinicCleveland ClinicKaiser PermanenteHCA HealthcareAscensionCommonSpirit HealthTenet HealthcareUniversity hospital systems
Industry Sectors
Hospital pathology departmentsIndependent clinical laboratoriesSpecialty pathology groupsAcademic medical centersReference laboratoriesOutpatient surgery centers
Recommended Next Steps
1
Review job postings in your area and list the top five recurring requirements to target2
Create a one page checklist you can use for specimen intake and tracking and ask your supervisor for feedback3
Request training access for the laboratory tracking system and document your proficiency with example tasks completed4
Take a basic laboratory safety course and refresh privacy compliance training5
Track two measurable improvements over eight weeks such as fewer labeling errors or faster turnaround for send-out shipments6
Update your resume with clear metrics such as volume handled, accuracy rate, and coordination across sites