UM SOM: Department of Pathology

Pathologists' Assistants Program

Introduction

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) offering a degree preparing students as a Pathologists' Assistant. After completing our program, students earn a Master of Science degree and are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification examination. Following successful passing of this exam, the graduate will be able to identify themselves as a PA(ASCP). The awarding of the Master's Degree for Pathologists' Assistant by the University of Maryland is not based upon passing the ASCP certification examination.

Pathologists' Assistant Description

The Pathologists' Assistant is an allied health professional, qualified by academic and practical training to assist in providing service in anatomic pathology under the direction and supervision of an anatomic pathologist.

Pathologists' Assistants function as assistants to anatomic pathologists by participating in the examination, dissection and processing of tissues and by participating in gross autopsy dissection. Pathologists' Assistants are employed in a variety of settings, which include community and regional hospitals, university medical centers, private pathology laboratories and medical examiner offices. The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment and a demonstration of commitment to patient quality care are essential for Pathologists' Assistants. They must demonstrate ethical and moral attitudes and principles which are essential for gaining and maintaining the trust of professional associates, the support of the community, and the confidence of the patient and family. Respect for the patient and confidentiality of the patient's records and/or diagnoses must be maintained.

The high degree of responsibility assumed by the Pathologists' Assistant requires skills and abilities necessary to provide those services appropriate for an anatomic pathology setting.

Pathologists' Assistants are able to provide the following services under the direct supervision of a licensed and board-certified pathologist but are not limited to:

Surgical Pathology

Assisting in the preparation and performance of surgical specimen dissection by assuring appropriate specimen accessioning; obtaining pertinent clinical information and studies; dissecting surgical specimens and describing gross anatomic features; selecting and submitting tissue for histologic processing; obtaining and submitting specimens for additional analytic procedures such as immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, image analysis, bacterial cultures, toxicology, etc.; assisting in photography of gross and microscopic specimens.

Autopsy Pathology

Assisting in the performance of postmortem examination by ascertaining proper legal authorization; obtaining and reviewing the patient's chart and other pertinent clinical data and studies; notifying involved personnel of all special procedures and techniques required; coordinating special requests for specimens; notifying involved clinicians, appropriate authorities and individuals; assisting in the gross postmortem examination; selecting and preparing tissue for histologic processing and special studies; obtaining specimens for biological and toxicologic analysis; assisting in photography of gross specimens and photomicrography; participating in the completion of the autopsy report; assuming duties as may be assigned relative to teaching, administrative, supervisory and budgetary functions in anatomic pathology.

Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

Minimum standards for admission to graduate programs at the Univesity of Maryland, Baltimore are specified in the Graduate School catalog. The Department also requires an undergraudate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, and grades of A or B in all science courses are expected. Applicants must take the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Strong preference is given to students with a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 1200 and an Analytical Writing score of >4.5. In addition, the students' undergraduate program must reflect the successful completion of the following coursework as prerequisites: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry or biochemistry, microbiology, mathematics and English composition.

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