Pathologists' Assistant Career Guide

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Overview

Pathologists' Assistants (PAs) are skilled healthcare professionals who work alongside pathologists in various medical settings, primarily in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories. They play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by assisting with autopsies, surgical pathology procedures and specimen dissection.

Essential Job Functions:

Staff and Travel Pathologists' Assistants prepare and dissect tissue specimens obtained during

Education

To become a Pathologists' Assistant, aspiring individuals must complete a Master's degree program in Pathologists' Assistant Studies. These programs typically last two years and combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training.

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

After completing the Master's degree, PAs often need to obtain certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (PA-ASCP) or other relevant organizations. Clinical experience during training is critical, as is the ability to work under the supervision of a licensed pathologist.

Skills

Successful PAs possess excellent attention to detail, strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of anatomy and pathology. They must also have good communication skills to collaborate effectively with pathologists, laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals.

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Responsibilities

Pathologists' Assistants assist in surgical procedures, dissect and prepare tissue samples, process and analyze specimens and contribute to the preparation of reports for diagnosis. They play a key role in accurate disease diagnosis and treatment planning.

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
Pathologists' Assistant
$2,228-3,369/week

The average salary for a Pathologists' Assistant is $2,865.86 per week.

Last updated on December 21, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

Becoming a Pathologists' Assistant offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to patient care by assisting in the accurate diagnosis of diseases. It's a role that combines scientific knowledge with hands-on technical skills.

However, the job can be emotionally challenging, particularly when dealing with sensitive cases or autopsy procedures. The role may require long hours and the ability to work in a

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Pathologists' Assistant Jobs


View job details for Travel Pathologists' Assistant
Travel Contract

Travel Pathologists' Assistant

  • Brockton, MA
  • PHP
  • 3x12 hrs, Days

$3,809/week

View job details for Travel Pathologists' Assistant
Travel Contract

Travel Pathologists' Assistant

  • Providence, RI
  • Prime Time Healthcare
  • 5x8 hrs, Days
  • Referral Bonus

$3,738/week

Posted 7 days ago
View job details for Travel Pathologists' Assistant
Travel Contract

Travel Pathologists' Assistant

  • Providence, RI
  • Triage Staffing
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,575/week

View job details for Travel Pathologists' Assistant
Travel Contract

Travel Pathologists' Assistant

  • Mountain View, CA
  • Triage Staffing
  • 5x8 hrs, Nights

$3,460/week

Estimated pay package

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