Pathology Assistant Qualification

[pathdream]

Hello, all

I am an old IMG graduated in early 90's. Had been pathologist in my home country for years before come to US. In US, I have 10 years of research experience, passed step 1-3, and have 2 years of part time pathology observership with University pathology professors.

Maybe because of my graduation year and moderate scores ( all 80), I failed past match season. Now I am advised that the only way to improve my CV/ qualification is to find either an externship, which is very rare in pathology, or find an Pathology assistant job to accumulate hand-on USCE.

I checked the AACP that PA certification requires US PA training (usually a 2 years full time master program), which apprently is not feasible in my situation.

Would anyone please kindly advice :
1) what is the basic requirement for a Pathology Assistant position ?
2) can people without a PA master degree / AACP PA certification or eligible / strong connect to get this kind of PA job ?
3) if yes for Q2, how much the employer will value the facts of 10+ pathologist experience and passing step 1-3 , when I apply for the PA job?
4) is there any state license requirement I have to fulfill before getting the PA job ?

Thanks very much in advance for your generous help.

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[LADoc00]

There is no state license requirements for PAs nor is there a specific degree needed although one maybe offered.

The PA degree IMO is a hoax. Everything you need can be taught on the job.

CAP forcing some type of licensing for PA is ridiculous. Never EVER get CAP certified if you have a lab...

 

[pathstudent]

There is no state license requirements for PAs nor is there a specific degree needed although one maybe offered.

The PA degree IMO is a hoax. Everything you need can be taught on the job.

CAP forcing some type of licensing for PA is ridiculous. Never EVER get CAP certified if you have a lab...

So if your lab is CAP accredited, you PAs had to have gone to PA school?

 

[LADoc00]

So if your lab is CAP accredited, you PAs had to have gone to PA school?

PA's without certain credentials are very limited in what they can do with CAP.

 

[TMZ2007]

Can you point a certain regulation regarding this? We have one PA who has a PA degree/certification and can gross everything, and another who is OTJ-only (yet has a bio/chem/pre-med masters) who can gross stuff only as complex as a benign uterus...

 

[LADoc00]

Can you point a certain regulation regarding this? We have one PA who has a PA degree/certification and can gross everything, and another who is OTJ-only (yet has a bio/chem/pre-med masters) who can gross stuff only as complex as a benign uterus...

that is my point, most states HAVE NO regulation stating a b9 ut is fine but a prostate is not. What you are observing is purely the medical director's decision or a result of CAP nonsense.

 

[Ishie1013]

My hospital had a medical student that had taken an extended LOA on as a PA. He was allowed to gross everything, no problem, no certificate. That's in NY.

 

[pathdream]

My hospital had a medical student that had taken an extended LOA on as a PA. He was allowed to gross everything, no problem, no certificate. That's in NY.

Thanks very much for your information.

May I ask what dose the LOA stand for ? leave of absent ? how long did you hired this student PA? What is the type of your hospital, a teaching hospital ? or one with Path Residency program?

I have 7 years of AP/FP experience in my home country, and 2 years (10-15 hours/ week) of observations in USA with very good pathologists, so gross and microscopic are not problems for me. I especially strong in Neuro and Onco path.

 

[Ishie1013]

Leave of absence. I didn't hire him; I was a student. Community hospital; no path residency program. Nice pathologists. He worked there for about a year and matched into path this year. I think now they have a PA that's going for next year's match; similar story.

 

[zao275]

Never EVER get CAP certified if you have a lab...

Other than the PA thing, any particular reason for this recommendation? Also, if you do not get CAP Accreditation, what type of accreditation, if any, do you pursue? Just curious, as most labs I have been familiar with are accredited via CAP.

Thanks!