[Histonet] PA job description

Tue Apr 10 11:48:31 CDT 2007

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 <@t> yahoo.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 10:42 AM
To: Charles.Embrey; Douglas D Deltour; R C; histonet <@t> 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" <Charles.Embrey <@t> carle.com> 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 <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
	[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Douglas
	D Deltour
	Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 1:42 PM
	To: 'R C'; histonet <@t> 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

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	-----Original Message-----
	From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
	[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of R C
	Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 11:59 AM
	To: histonet <@t> 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 <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu <
	histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:
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	> 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 <@t> 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 <@t> med.va.gov
	>
	>
	>
	>
	>
	> ------------------------------
	>
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	> End of Histonet Digest, Vol 41, Issue 8
	> ***************************************
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