Look at some of the qualification requirements...lol
Pathologists' Assistant Description
The Pathologists' Assistant is an allied health professional, qualified by academic and practical training to assist in providing service in anatomic pathology under the direction and supervision of an anatomic pathologist.
Pathologists' Assistants function as assistants to anatomic patholoigsts by participating in the examination, dissection and processing of tissues and by participating in gross autopsy dissection. Pathologists' Assistants are employed in a variety of settings, which include community and regional hospitals, university medical centers, private pathology laboratories and medical examiner offices. The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgement and a demonstration of commitment to patient quality care are essential for Pathologists' Assistants. They must demonstrate ethical and moral attitudes and principles which are essential for gaining and maintaining the trust of professional associates, the support of the community, and the confidence of the patient and family. Respect for the patient and confidentiality of the patient's records and/or diagnoses must be maintained.
The high degree of responsibility assumed by the Pathologists' Assistant requires skills and abilities necessary to provide those services appropriate for an anatomic pathology setting.
Pathologists' Assistants are able to provide the following services under the direct supervision of a licensed and board-certified pathologist but are not limited to:
Surgical Pathology
Assisting in the preparation and performance of surgical specimen dissection by assuring appropriate specimen accessioning; obtaining pertinent clinical information and studies; dissecting surgical specimens and describing gross anatomic features; selecting and submitting tissue for histologic processing; obtaining and submitting specimens for additional analytic procedures such as immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, image analysis, bacterial cultures, toxicology, etc.; assisting in photography of gross and microscopic specimens.
Autopsy Pathology
Assisting in the performance of postmortem examination by ascertaining proper legal authorization; obtaining and reviewing the patient's chart and other pertinent clinical data and studies; notifying involved personnel of all special procedures and techniques required; coordinating special requests for specimens; notifying involved clinicians, appropriate authorities and individuals; assisting in the gross postmortem examination; selecting and preparing tissue for histologic processing and special studies; obtaining specimens for biological and toxicologic analysis; assisting in photography of gross specimens and photomicrography; participating in the completion of the autopsy report; assuming duties as may be assigned relative to teaching, administrative, supervisory and budgetary functions in anatomic pathology. |
