Question: We’ve recently employed some pathology assistants and are wondering what their scope of practice ought to be.
Answer: The American Association of Pathology Assistants suggests the following scope of practice for pathology assistants with respect to surgical pathology:
Preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical specimens, including:
- Assuring appropriate specimen accessioning.
- Obtaining pertinent clinical information and history, including scans, x-rays, laboratory data, etc.
- Describing gross anatomic features of surgical specimens, preparing tissues for histological processing, obtaining biological samples such as blood, tissue and toxicological material for studies such as flow cytometry, image analysis, immunohistochemistry, etc., and performing special procedures including faxitron imaging and tumor triage.
- Preparing and submitting appropriate tissue sections for light microscopy (routine processing) as well as special procedures such as frozen section, electron microscopy and immune-flourescence microscopy.
- Photographing all appropriate gross specimens and microscopic slides.
- Performing duties relating to the administrative maintenance of surgical pathology protocols, reports and data, including the filing of reports, protocols, photographic data or slide, microscopic slides and assisting in the completion of specimen coding and billing.
- Assuring proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate supplies and cleanliness of the surgical pathology suite.
- Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology conferences.