What is a Pathologists Assistant?
A Pathologists’ Assistant is a highly trained allied health professional who provides various pathology services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. These professionals are academically and practically trained to aid the pathologist in many ways to provide accurate and timely processing of a variety of laboratory specimens. Pathologists’ Assistants provide the majority of pathological specimen processing up to making a diagnosis for a patient. They are key components to helping make a clinical diagnosis, but there is a distinct line where a Pathologists’ Assistant duty ends, and where a pathologist’s review to diagnose a case begins. Pathologists’ Assistants interact with pathologists in a similar manner to physician assistants in surgical and medical practice, carrying out their duties under the direction of their physicians.
