Pathologist vs. Pathologist Assistant: What Are the Differences?

A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and studying diseases. A pathologist assistant is a trained professional who works under the supervision of a pathologist. Both roles are important in the field of medicine, but there are several key differences between them.

In this article, we discuss the differences between a pathologist and a pathologist assistant, and we provide information on what you need to do to pursue each career.

What is a Pathologist?

Pathologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing diseases by studying tissues and bodily fluids. They often work closely with other physicians to provide information that can help guide treatment plans. Pathologists use a variety of tools to examine tissues and fluids, including microscopes, X-rays and chemical analyses. They often consult with other medical professionals to discuss their findings and make recommendations for further testing or treatment. In some cases, pathologists may also be responsible for conducting autopsies to determine the cause of death.

What is a Pathologist Assistant?

Pathologist Assistants are specially trained to work under the supervision of pathologists to provide diagnostic and research support services. They collect and prepare tissues and bodily fluids for examination, perform autopsies, document findings and prepare reports. They may also work with pathologists to develop new diagnostic methods and techniques. Pathologist Assistants typically have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as biology or chemistry, and must complete a Pathologists’ Assistant program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Pathologist vs. Pathologist Assistant

Here are the main differences between a pathologist and a pathologist assistant.

Job Duties

One of the biggest differences between a pathologist and a pathologist assistant is the type of duties they perform. A pathologist performs diagnostic procedures on biopsies and other types of medical samples to determine the cause of disease. They analyze these samples using laboratory equipment and techniques, then write reports that doctors use when diagnosing patients.

A pathologist assistant assists a pathologist with many of these tasks. Depending on their job title and employer, they may prepare samples for analysis, run laboratory tests or interpret results. They do not make diagnoses on samples, but they may inform the pathologist of any findings that need further investigation.

Job Requirements

Pathologists typically need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by medical school and a residency program. After completing their training, pathologists must obtain licensure from the state they plan to practice in and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Some pathologists also choose to pursue board certification through the American Board of Pathology (ABP), which requires passing an exam.

Pathologist assistants usually need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)-accredited program. These programs typically take two years to complete and include coursework on topics like human anatomy and physiology, medical ethics and clinical microbiology. After graduating, pathologist assistants must obtain certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) before they can begin working.

Work Environment

Both pathologists and PAs work in hospitals, but they may also work in other healthcare facilities. For example, a pathologist may work for a private practice or an independent laboratory that provides services to several different medical facilities. A PA can work in any healthcare facility where there is a need for their skills, such as physician offices, urgent care centers, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.

A pathologist typically works more independently than a PA, who often collaborate with physicians and nurses on patient care. Pathologists usually spend most of their time in the lab performing tests and analyzing results. They may occasionally perform procedures like biopsies, but this is rare. PAs are more likely to work directly with patients, providing them with treatment and monitoring their health.

Skills

Both pathologists and pathologist assistants use a variety of skills in their jobs. Both need to have excellent communication skills, as they often interact with patients, families and other medical professionals. They also both need to be detail-oriented to accurately document their findings and maintain patient records.

Pathologists typically use more complex skills than pathologist assistants. For example, they may use immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization techniques to diagnose diseases. They also may interpret images from scans, such as X-rays, MRIs and CTs. In addition, pathologists often are responsible for performing autopsies to determine the cause of death.

Pathologist assistants typically work under the supervision of a pathologist. Their duties often include collecting and processing tissue samples, preparing slides for examination and assisting with autopsies. They also may take X-rays and perform basic laboratory tests.

Salary

Pathologists earn an average salary of $209,627 per year, while pathologist assistants earn an average salary of $83,487 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the state in which you work, the size of the company you work for and your level of experience.