Overview

Overview of the P.A. (ASCP)

The Profession of Pathologists’ Assistants:

The American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) was founded in 1972. The first program was at Duke University in response to the demand for qualified assistants in the specialty of Anatomic Pathology and a decline in the number of Pathology residents. The profession has emerged as one of the fastest growing specialties in medicine, focusing on Surgical and Autopsy Pathology (including anatomy and disease mechanisms), with additional training in Laboratory Management, Clinical Pathology, Forensics and Biomedical Photography.

In practice, Pathologists’ Assistants are responsible for the processing of the Surgical Pathology specimen from receipt to dissection and description to submission of tissue to Histology. In Autopsy practice, the PA is involved in reviewing the medical record of the decedent, evisceration, dissection, and selection of tissue for submission to Histology as well as formulation of a Preliminary Anatomic Diagnosis and Autopsy Report under the direction of a Pathologist. Many PA s are involved in Laboratory Management, teaching at the University level, training of residents and medical students, forensic investigation, or research.

Please visit www.pathassist.org. We invite you to review the AAPA Code of Regulations and Professional Standards. The WVU Pathologists’ Assistant program adheres to these regulations and standards. The goal of our program is to prepare graduates to uphold these standards of professionalism and capability.