History of Our Program
The Pathologists' Assistant program at the University of Maryland Baltimore was established in 1974 as a Master's of Science program. We are part of the Department of Pathology in the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Since our inaugural class, our graduates have worked in all 50 states and internationally in a variety of practice settings.
Who are Pathologists' Assistants
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 the Pathologists' Assistant. 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 patient 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
The Pathologists' Assistant performs surgical specimen dissection by identifying the anatomical structures within the specimen and assessing the nature and extent of the pathological process. The Pathologists' Assistant also assures appropriate specimen accessioning, obtains and assesses pertinent clinical information and ancillary studies, describes the gross anatomic pathology, selects tissue to be submitted for further histologic processing and microscopic examination by the pathologist. The Pathologists' Assistant also submits specimens for additional analytic procedures such as immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, image analysis, microbiological cultures, genetic analysis, chemical analysis, and toxicology, and assists in the photography of pathological specimens as indicated or requested.
Autopsy Pathology
The Pathologists' Assistant may be involved in the performance of postmortem examination, including the assessment of death certificates and obtaining proper legal authorization, and reviewing of the patient's medical record and pertinent clinical data. The Pathologists' Assistant may perform eviscerations as well as organ block dissection per the Departmental protocol, and triage autopsy specimens for special procedures and techniques as required. The Pathologists' Assistant may further select tissue for histologic processing and special studies, obtaining specimens for biological and toxicologic analysis, assist in photography of gross specimens, and communicate with clinicians regarding the autopsy findings. The Pathologists' Assistant may also be assigned to teaching, administrative, supervisory, and budgetary functions in Anatomic Pathology, depending on how a given position is structured.
Accreditation
The University of Maryland, Baltimore Pathologists’ Assistant Program is accredited by:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
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