Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Pathologists' Assistant?
A: A pathologists assistant is a certified healthcare professional who is qualified by academic and practical training to provide services in anatomic pathology under the direction and supervision of a licensed, Board Certified or Board eligible pathologist, as outlined in Article III, Sections A, B and C of the AAPA Bylaws. A pathologists assistant need not provide all of the services outlined in Article III, Sections B and C of the AAPA Bylaws in the performance of their duties, however, it is expected that the individual will have received appropriate academic and practical training to provide such services.
Q: What level work can Pathologists' Assistants do?
A: Path Assts can do all work leading up to but not including diagnosis. Path Assts are qualified to do complex surgical resections (pelvic exenterations, whipple procedures, etc.) and autopsies including gross, PAD/FAD, and clinical summary.
Q: How much work can Pathologists' Assistants do (how many should I hire)?
A: The amount varies with the type of work. Path Assts are qualified to gross surgical specimens, do frozen sections, autopsies, tissue banking, teaching, management, and administration (supervision, billing, Q&A). One thing to keep in mind when bringing in new Path Assts to an institution is the rotation of vacation and sick time, two Path Assts can better coordinate with each other if the workload allows.
Q: What is the pay scale?
A: The range for new program graduates usually runs from the high $60Ks to as high as $90K, with variation occurring as a result of workload, setting, and regional cost of living. This salary average for program graduates reflects the national average for entry-level salaries. Sign-on/retention bonuses and annual bonuses are becoming more frequent as well. Experienced PAs can earn as much as the low six figures and that again is based on work experience and geographic location. AAPA salary survey results are avalable to AAPA members.
Q: How do I hire a Pathologists' Assistant?
A: The most effective way to advertise your job opening is through the AAPA Job Hotline. AAPA members are able to access the Hotline 24 hours a day through the AAPA web site. The fee is $250 to have your ad published for a length of three (3) months on our web site. Please submit your job ad and payment directly through our web site by completing the online form. If you have any questions or problems with your online order, please contact the AAPA Central Office. After your ad and payment are received by the Central Office, an email confirming your ad posting will be sent to you.
Another option to advertise a job opening is to purchase mailing labels of all active AAPA members (1000+). Please submit your label order and payment directly through our web site by completing the online form. If you have any questions or problems with your online order, please contact the AAPA Central Office. Non-members can purchase the labels for a fee of $150*. AAPA members can purchase the labels for a discounted fee of $75*. Upon receipt of payment, the labels will be mailed by standard first class mail to the designated address. Labels are normally mailed within one (1) week of receiving payment. Please note: In an effort to protect our members, we cannot provide you with a disk of the mailing label information. Labels are purchased only for the one time usage.
Finally, you may also be interested in contacting any of the NAACLS accredited pathologists' assistant training programs regarding new or recent graduates. A list of accredited programs is available on the AAPA web site.
Q: How do I become a Path Asst?
A: The best way to become a Path Asst is to attend a NAACLS accredited pathologists' assistant training program.
Q: How do I become an AAPA member?
A: AAPA membership categories include Fellow, Associate, Affiliate, and Student members. A member is elevated to Fellow upon passing the ASCP BOR Pathologists' Assistant Certification Examination. To join the AAPA, you must be a student attending a NAACLS accredited training program. Alternatively, some on-the-job trained (OJT) individuals may still have time to join before the phase out date of December 31, 2007, with an ASCP BOR application submission deadline of October 1, 2007. You must have completed a Bachelors program and have had three years of continuous bench experience to become exam eligible through the ASCP BOR. Once exam eligible, you have the option to become an Affiliate member of the AAPA. After 2007, the OJT route will no longer be available.
Q: I am a current AAPA Fellow. How do I become certified?
A: AAPA Fellow members had until December 31, 2005, to complete their transfer application paperwork and pay the $450 fee to the ASCP BOR. Approximately 735 Fellow members chose to become certified by the deadline.
Q: How do I maintain my certification?
A: When you become ASCP BOR certified, the clock starts ticking on your CMP timeline. Your certification is valid for 3 years, and then you have to renew it. To renew your certification, you have to pay $50 and submit 45 continuing education credits to the ASCP BOR as outlined on their website http://www.ascp.org/bor/cmp .