A pathologists' assistant is an advanced allied health professional who supports anatomic pathology services under the supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible pathologist. They perform comprehensive surgical and autopsy tasks up to—but not including—diagnosis, including preparing, examining, and dissecting tissue specimens, conducting postmortem procedures, and procuring samples for research and biobanking. Pathologists' assistants may also teach anatomy, pathology, and dissection techniques, train residents and lab staff, participate in research, and take on administrative or supervisory duties. Through this broad scope of practice, they enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and overall effectiveness of pathology laboratories and practices.

Education, Training and Experience

• Ten pathologists' assistant programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); all but one require a bachelor's degree in a science field.
• Common prerequisite courses include:
  • Biological sciences (human anatomy & physiology preferred)
  • Microbiology
  • General chemistry
  • Organic/biochemistry
  • Mathematics (statistics recommended)
  • English composition
• The NAACLS website provides a full list of accredited programs; each program sets its own admission criteria.
• Pathologists' assistant programs typically take two years and culminate in a master's degree (one program awards a bachelor's degree).
• Training includes one year of didactic coursework followed by one year of clinical or clerkship rotations with hands-on experience in hospital/lab settings.
• National certification for pathologists' assistants was established in 2004 through a partnership between the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• To earn the PA (ASCP) credential, graduates must complete a NAACLS-accredited program and pass the ASCP Board of Certification exam.
• Certified pathologists' assistants must document continuing medical education every three years to maintain certification.
• The ASCP Board of Certification page provides detailed information on exam and certification requirements.
• Many health professionals transition into the field after working in related roles such as histotechnologists, clinical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, cytotechnologists, anatomic pathology technicians, autopsy technicians, and military medics or corpsmen.
• Students enrolled in NAACLS-accredited programs are eligible for student membership in the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants.

Detailed Work Activities

• Pathologists' assistants work across a broad range of clinical and laboratory settings.
• Most are employed in academic medical centers and community hospitals.
• Additional employment settings include:
  • Private pathology laboratories
  • Forensic pathology labs and morgues
  • Reference laboratories
  • Government healthcare systems
  • Medical teaching facilities
• Some pathologists' assistants work independently as business owners, offering pathology services through long- or short-term contracts (locum tenens).