PathA prospects

[Simple Jack]

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Greetings, I'm curious on what the community believes the future career prospects are for Pathologists' Assistants?

I'm too old to become a pathologist at this point (turning 41 soon). I'm currently a private practice general dentist 6+ years experience, family partnership.
I'm tired of it all: patient care, staff, insurance, taxes, regulations, supply shortages. Running a small biz at this point is impossible.

I know grass is always greener, but I still have a passion for histology/pathology/dissection so I've been considering going down to midlevel a lot lately. That and/or medical educator.

I'd be grateful for any insights you can share. Thank you!

 

[gbwillner]

Going back to school at 41 sounds like a nightmare.
If I were you I'd look into changing your current work situation (consider joining another practice and not needing to run a business) before being a mid-level in another field. And if you want a passion for something, take up painting butterflies or something.

 

[dr.weiner]

Why not to do an oral pathology fellowship?

 

[deleted314957]

If you become a PA, your passion for pathology, histology and dissection will be pretty much limited to autopsy dissection and pathology specimen prep. I agree with oral path fellowship.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Greetings, I'm curious on what the community believes the future career prospects are for Pathologists' Assistants?

I'm too old to become a pathologist at this point (turning 41 soon). I'm currently a private practice general dentist 6+ years experience, family partnership.
I'm tired of it all: patient care, staff, insurance, taxes, regulations, supply shortages. Running a small biz at this point is impossible.

I know grass is always greener, but I still have a passion for histology/pathology/dissection so I've been considering going down to midlevel a lot lately. That and/or medical educator.

I'd be grateful for any insights you can share. Thank you!

First of all, kudos to you for considering a bold career change. Chasing happiness is worth the pursuit.

However, you might find that being a PA might feel like a significant demotion. Imagine yourself being treated as a hygienist in your current role. If you like anatomy/histology/dissection, I'd encourage you to pursue a teaching role if that's your interest. There are likely some decent opportunities at both graduate and undergraduate level. Also check out positions as a consultant in the industry world. You have valuable experience and you should leverage it.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Dentist to Path Assistant? That is different.

If you like working with dangerous chemicals all day and don't mind increasing your risk of neurologic disorders and cancer, go for it.

 

[KeratinPearls]

Dentist to Path Assistant? That is different.

If you like working with dangerous chemicals all day and don't mind increasing your risk of neurologic disorders and cancer, go for it.

Cmon Webb. I know pathologists who were exposed to formalin and are still alive today but old. Some places didn’t even have fume hoods. I know of one county program that only installed fume hoods only about 10 years ago lol. In other words, they were exposed to formalin for many years!

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Cmon Webb. I know pathologists who were exposed to formalin and are still alive today but old. Some places didn’t even have fume hoods. I know of one county program that only installed fume hoods only about 10 years ago lol. In other words, they were exposed to formalin for many years!

Well I have seen too many with glioblastoma, lymphoma and many neurological disorders (if they were lucky enough to not die from emboli). Now could this all be a coincidence? Perhaps.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Cmon Webb. I know pathologists who were exposed to formalin and are still alive today but old. Some places didn’t even have fume hoods. I know of one county program that only installed fume hoods only about 10 years ago lol. In other words, they were exposed to formalin for many years!

There are people that smoke their entire lives and don't get cancer too. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss formalin and xylene as harmless.

 

[HeyDalaron]

Cmon Webb. I know pathologists who were exposed to formalin and are still alive today but old. Some places didn’t even have fume hoods. I know of one county program that only installed fume hoods only about 10 years ago lol. In other words, they were exposed to formalin for many years!

Formalin is a proven carcinogen. Maybe we should start using honey or jaggery instead LOL

 

[deleted314957]

Maybe that’s why i’ve got the “jakes”. Drinkin’ too much of that cheap green formalin they used to force on us in the 70’s if we didn’t buy their reagent rental plan.