Pathologists' Assistant Job Description

The Assistant to the Pathologists' Assistant

Someone must carefully process and prepare the specimen before the exams can take place. If the specimen is to be examined under a microscope, it must be put into a slide. In some cases, specimen must be dyed, which can require different types of staining techniques.

The job of the assistant is to prepare samples and submit them for analysis. The pathologists' assistant doesn't have to come to a diagnosis or make a decision about how to treat patients. The pathologist is the patient's doctor and the role of that person is to perform the autopsy.

The assistant to the Pathologists' is responsible for analyzing specimen, but the degree to which the assistant is responsible depends on workplace policies and legal regulations. The first person to do an examination or analysis of a sample is the Pathologists' assistant. The sample that the assistant receives is the original form, which may include a removed organ or body part, and is the one that the pathologist will use to conduct a gross examination.

The Pathologists' assistant takes a picture of the whole sample before beginning dissection. Assist with autopsies is a job duty pathologists' assistants do. Post mortem medical exams are performed on bodies when the cause of death is not known.

Students who receive a master's degree in pathology will usually have to help with autopsies, but not all of them work on autopsies. If you work in anatomic pathology laboratory, an autopsy suite at a hospital, or in a medical examiner's office, you might be asked to help conduct autopsies. The American Association of Pathologists' assistants says that a pathologist's assistant can perform some tasks in the context of an autopsy, such as examining the body and organs inside it.

Pathology Assistants in Health Care

The first to examine tissue samples are the pathology assistants. They process lab specimen, examine and slice them, prepare tissues for tests, or photograph them. PAs working in autopsy pathology will have slightly different duties, such as getting legal approval for an autopsy, reviewing the medical history of the deceased, coordinating specimen for research organ transplantation, and assisting in the postmortem exam.

Some PAs may be the first to examine the body, determining how the autopsy should be performed. You can learn more about becoming a pathologist assistant by contacting schools that offer related health sciences programs or by reading the career plan discussion. If you are still trying to decide on a career in health care, take some time to explore other options.

Pathologist Assistants

A pathologist assistant is trained to perform all the functions of a Pathologist except the diagnosis. Pathologist assistants work in sterile laboratories where they are exposed to a wide range of biological contaminants. There are guidelines that help reduce the chances of accidents.

The role requires a high level of physical and mental strength because they spend most of their time standing. You need to complete an undergraduate degree program to get into an accredited pathologist assistant program. Colleges do not offer a dedicated undergraduate program for pathologist assistants, but you can take courses in forensic science, biology, chemistry, and other areas related to medicine to help you get a good foundation in pathology.

You will be qualified for certification once you complete your program. certification can help you choose from a wider range of employers and allow you to negotiate for a higher salary. To be certified as a pathologist's assistant, you must pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam.

Pathologist assistants work a typical office schedule, although they might need to work on weekends when the need arises. They mostly work while standing, assistants help to prepare and process samples for testing. They can work in hospitals, health centers and coroner's offices, which can affect their hours.