I understand what you are saying but I was asked for a job description and I provided the one adopted by the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (I guess they would have a pretty good idea of what a PA should do) and transferred over to the ASCP as their guidelines for PA activity. It is from that job description that the PA exam was written. I know each lab has the latitude to add or delete for the generic job description but a certified PA on the hunt for a job should be able to handle all the items on the AAPA checklist or risk unemployment. They don't have to master all requirements but should be familiar with them. Bear in mind here that I am talking about certified PAs or those wishing to challenge the certification exam. The job market is getting tighter out there and future employers want to be sure they are getting their money's worth. In Jason's case it sounds like they are getting a great deal more.
Charles Embrey Jr. PA(ASCP)
Carle Clinic IL
-----Original Message-----
From: Rene J Buesa [mailto:rjbuesa@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 10:42 AM
To: Charles.Embrey; Douglas D Deltour; R C; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] PA job description
Charles:
The AAPA, as you quote, has a pretty good idea of what a PA should do, and it is a comprehensive idea but it does not mean that in your specific case you can not limit those activities or duties, as I used to do for the PAs that worked under my supervision.
What I always made sure was thay they had completed their accredited studies and had work experience.
What you want them to do is one thing, and what they are able to do or are trained to do is another.
Each lab should adapt to its particular needs.
René J.
"Charles.Embrey" wrote:
I don't know of any PA's working for the VA system yet. It would be
interesting to see what GS level they would place on the position and I
would hate to be the one to petition the VA to create the position and
fund it. Here is the official job description from the AAPA:
At the direction and under the supervision of a Pathologist(s), a
Pathologists' Assistant may perform the following tasks and assume the
responsibility for duties including the following:
Preparation, gross description and dissection of human tissue surgical
specimens including:
A. Assuring appropriate specimen accessioning.
B. Obtaining clinical history, including scans, x-rays, laboratory data,
etc.
C. Describing gross anatomic features, dissecting surgical specimens,
and preparing tissues for histologic processing.
D. Obtaining biological specimens 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.
E. Photographing all pertinent gross specimens and microscopic slides.
F. Performing duties relating to the administrative maintenance of
surgical pathology protocols, reports and data, including the filing of
reports, protocols, photographic and microscopic slides; assuring the
completion of specimen coding; and billing.
G. Assuring proper maintenance of equipment, provision of adequate
supplies, and cleanliness of the surgical pathology suite.
H. Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology
conferences.
Preparation of human postmortem examinations including:
A. Ascertaining proper legal authorization for autopsy.
B. Retrieving the patient's medical chart and other pertinent data for
review with the attending pathologist(s).
C. Conferring with the attending pathologist(s) to identify any special
techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of the
postmortem examination, (e.g. cultures; smears; histochemical,
immunofluorescence, toxicological, viral, or electron microscopy studies
etc.), and notifying all personnel directly involved.
D. Notifying the physician in charge, the funeral home, and all other
appropriate authorities prior to the beginning of the autopsy; and
coordinating any requests for special specimen sampling (e.g. organ
transplantation, research, etc.).
E. Performing postmortem examinations which may include: external
examination; in situ organ inspection; evisceration; dissection and
dictation or recording of data such as organ weights, presence of body
fluids etc., and gross anatomic findings.
F. Selecting, preparing and submitting appropriate gross tissue sections
for frozen section analysis as well as for light, electron and
immunofluorescent microscopy.
G. Obtaining biological specimens such as blood, tissue and
toxicological material for studies including flow cytometry, image
analysis, immunohistochemistry etc.; and performing special procedures
such as coronary artery perfusion, central nervous system perfusion,
enucleation, inner ear bone dissection, spinal cord removal, etc.
H. Photographing the body, organs, microscopic slides and other
pertinent materials.
I. Gathering and organizing clinical information and data pertinent to
the preparation of the preliminary summarization of the clinical
history.
J. Preparing the body for release (including indicating the presence of
biohazards such as contagious disease, radiation implants, etc.), and
releasing the body to the appropriate mortuary or funeral home
representative.
K. Performing duties related to administrative maintenance of anatomic
pathology protocols; photographic and microscopic slides; and assuring
the completion of coding.
L. Assisting in the organization and coordination of anatomic pathology
conferences.
M. Assuring the proper maintenance of equipment, the provision of
adequate supplies, and the cleanliness of the autopsy suite.
Performing such administrative, budgetary, supervisory, teaching, and
other duties as may be assigned
Take care and good luck,
Charles Embrey Jr. PA(ASCP)
Carle Clinic, Urbana IL
-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Douglas
D Deltour
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 1:42 PM
To: 'R C'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Histonet Digest, Vol 41, Issue 8
Hey Rueben let me guess, you are a PA?
I don't think Jason would be supervising a PA. We all know that a PA's
place
is in the gross room anyway, leaving the histology matters to us.
I am sure that Jason's pathologist doesn't have time to write it so he
left
it to him.
Douglas D. Deltour HT(ASCP)
Histology Manager
Professional Pathology Services, PC
One Science Court
Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29203
(803)252-1913
Fax (803)254-3262
*****************************************************
PROFESSIONAL PATHOLOGY SERVICES, PC
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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of R C
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 11:59 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Histonet Digest, Vol 41, Issue 8
Re: Pathogists Assistant job descriptions request:
Wouldn't your staff pathologists serve as a great source for their needs
and
requirements in a Pathologist Assistant? Would you serve as the PA
supervisor?
Rueben Carter
On 4/5/07, histonet-request@lists.utsouthwestern.edu <
histonet-request@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. PD's for PA's (Wiese, Jason VHAROS)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 09:58:37 -0700
> From: "Wiese, Jason VHAROS"
> Subject: [Histonet] PD's for PA's
> To: "Histonet"
> Message-ID:
>
<70EEF3D43B3C164C94037D811B2BE193E12905@VHAV20MSGA3.v20.med.va.gov>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
>
> Hello All!
>
>
>
> I hope this message finds you all healthy and happy...
>
>
>
> I am hoping someone in histoland can help me. I need to come up with
> some position descriptions for Pathologist Assistants. I would really
> like to find a PA that works for the Department of Veteran Affairs,
but
> anything will help. I need to know the series and grade for a PA in
the
> VA system.
>
>
>
> Thanks you in advance!
>
>
>
> Jason
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Jason E. Wiese, BS, HT(ASCP)
>
> VAROS Histology/Cytology
>
> 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd.
>
> Roseburg, OR 97470
>
> (541)440-1000 ext. 44751
>
> jason.wiese@med.va.gov
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> End of Histonet Digest, Vol 41, Issue 8
> ***************************************
>
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