Lab assistant certification school california professional#
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Common courses: structure & development, general pathology, systemic pathology, surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, laboratory management, fundamentals of histology, histotechnology, medical microbiology, biomedical photography,įinally, programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s level typically include preparation for national certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).Prerequisites: official transcripts from accredited undergraduate school with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), completion of specific coursework (e.g., microbiology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, college-level mathematics, English composition), personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation, interview (in-person or distance-based), experience in pathology, medical photo portfolio, background check and/or drug screening, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional), TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee.Master’s programs for pathologists’ assistants Common courses: human histology, clinical terminology & methodology, basis of pathophysiology, medical photography, vertebrate & human embryology, human anatomy & physiology, future trends in pathology practice, general education (e.g., English composition, philosophy, ethics).Prerequisites: official transcripts from secondary (or postsecondary) schools with a competitive GPA (e.g., >2.5), completion of specific secondary-level coursework (e.g., biology, chemistry, calculus), personal statement, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee.Following are the prerequisites (i.e., admissions requirements), curricula, and example programs for both the bachelor’s and master’s level path to becoming a pathologists’ assistant:īachelor’s programs for pathologists’ assistants Many students take the additional step of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences in order to ensure they meet the prerequisites for a future MS program, although this is certainly not a requirement. Programs that are specific to the pathology assistant (PA) career are at the master’s level. Pathologists’ Assistant: Common Courses & Requirements Read on to discover what to expect from a pathologist assistant school, as well as information about common program requirements, curricula, professional certification, and program accreditation. Not surprisingly, PAs are rigorously trained and may even seek national certification through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) following the completion of a PA program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). These highly skilled professionals are employed in a wide range of environments including morgues, forensic pathology research organizations, community hospitals, medical schools, and private laboratories. PAs prepare tissue samples for testing (e.g., immunohistochemical staining, light microscopy, flow cytometry, etc) help complete autopsies document specimen and autopsy test results compile and summarize clinical histories educate medical and legal personnel on research findings and maintain cleanliness (and inventories) in medical research facilities. People with a curiosity surrounding causes of death, tissue testing, and various pathologies, might consider becoming a pathologists’ assistant (PA).Īccording to the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), these medical professionals-analogous to physicians’ assistants-have a variety of surgical, autopsy-related, and administrative duties, typically performed under the supervision of a licensed pathologist. Forensic Pathologists’ Assistant Programs – Online & On-Campus Degree Programs