Pathologist's Assistant Career
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What a Pathologist's Assistant does:
Pathology is the study and diagnosis of disease through the examination of organs, tissues, cells and bodily fluids.
A Pathologist's Assistant is a skilled Allied Health Professional who works under the supervision of a Pathologist (a physician who specializes in the diagnosis of diseases by examining tissue, cells, blood, and body fluids using sophisticated laboratory techniques).
A Pathologist's Assistant is qualified to carry out most of the duties of a Pathologist, excluding diagnosis. The majority of pathologists' assistants work in community hospitals, government hospitals, reference laboratories, medical schools and university hospitals.
The main duties of a Pathologist's Assistant include:
- Providing anatomic pathology services
- Consulting with the Pathologist
- Examining surgical pathology specimens
- Performing autopsies and complex surgical resections
Education & Qualifications:
To become a Pathologist's assistant, you need to enroll in a formal training program in a University. Programs vary in length from 4 to 6 years, and successful graduates will earn a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree upon completion.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) provides accreditation for pathologists' assistant training programs. Many Pathologist's Assistants are existing allied healthcare professionals who have completed additional training to qualify.
Pathologist's Assistants can become certified through the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP BOR). Certification lasts for three years. Recertification can be maintained by submitting 45 continuing education credits.
Salary & Job Prospects:
Salaries for Pathologist's Assistants are in the range of $60,000 to $100,000, depending on location, qualifications and experience. Jobs in this area are expected to grow in hospitals, Laboratories and Education. This is primarily because hiring Pathologist's Assistants to carry out the work is more cost effective for healthcare facilities than hiring Pathologists.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: