Overview
A pathologists’ assistant is an intensively trained allied health professional who provides anatomic pathology services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. A pathologists’ sssistant is qualified to do all the work leading up to (but not including) diagnosis - including tissue banking, gross examination of surgical pathology specimens, and complex surgical resections and autopsies.
At the direction and under the supervision of a pathologist(s), a pathologists’ assistant may perform the following tasks and assume responsibility for:
- Preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical specimens
- Preparation of human postmortem examinations
- Teaching courses in human anatomy and physiology, histology, gross pathology, gross and microscopic photography and gross dissection skills for both surgical and autopsy pathology.
- Performance of various managerial and/or administrative duties, including handling budgets, supervising employees, etc.
By performing such a wide array of tasks, pathologists' assistants make a significant contribution to the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a laboratory or pathology practice.
You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:
Pathologist Assistant 14 May 2008 [pdf, 187 KB]
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Salary:
$60,000
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$90,000
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Years in school:
4
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6
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Excellent
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