Pathologist’s assistants work under a pathologist’s supervision, performing tasks such as paperwork, autopsies, and sample processing. They typically hold a master’s degree in science and can perform many of the same tasks as a pathologist, except for diagnosing patients. They may also provide training and support to new employees and students. Job prospects in this field are good.
A pathologist’s assistant provides several services in a pathology laboratory, from managing paperwork to performing autopsies. These allied health professionals can do many of the same things that a fully licensed pathologist can do, with the exception of diagnosing patients, and they work under a pathologist’s supervision. Job prospects in this field can be quite good, as many facilities are constantly in need of additional pathology staff.
To become a pathologist assistant, someone generally must obtain a master’s degree in science. He or she typically holds a bachelor’s degree in life sciences, medical technology, or a related field by participating in a specialized two-year program designed to create skilled assistant pathologists. Depending on the region in which he works, an assistant pathologist may be required to take a licensing exam to demonstrate competency.
In the lab, a pathologist’s assistant can process samples, handling everything from filling out paperwork to running all the necessary tests that can lead to a diagnosis. A pathologist’s assistant can perform dissections, interpret test results, and describe anatomical specimens, with the pathologist stepping in at the end of the process to confirm the diagnosis. These professionals also manage the samples stored in the laboratory and often handle administrative issues such as document maintenance, issuing pathology reports, and coordinating employee schedules, freeing up the pathologist for other work.
Assistant pathologists can also perform autopsies, handling every step of the process from obtaining legal permission to perform an autopsy to releasing a body to family members or a funeral home. The gross dissection skills of these professionals are useful on the autopsy table, as they must be able to examine organs in situ, as well as dissect them and collect samples. In a busy pathology facility, autopsy skills can also reduce the pathologist’s case load, which can help reduce fatigue and ensure the pathologist can focus on his or her responsibilities.
In some pathology labs, the assistant pathologist also provides training to new employees, familiarizing them with lab procedures and helping them get established. Teaching duties may also fall to this pathology staff member, and he or she may mentor students, conduct demonstrations, deliver lectures, and provide other learning opportunities for people pursuing careers in pathology. Experienced assistants can also provide training and support to newly qualified pathologists who may not have the extensive field experience of a veteran pathologist’s assistant.
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