Program goals

The Wayne State University Pathologists' Assistant program trains individuals who will assist pathologists in the performance of postmortem examination and in the dissection, dictation, and evaluation of surgical specimens for microscopic diagnosis. The program also provides individuals with budgetary, supervisory, and teaching skills. Lastly, the program trains individuals to function as competent entry-level pathologists' assistants capable of performing, under the supervision of a pathologist those professional responsibilities as defined by the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA).

Pathologists' Assistant scope of practice

The Pathologists' Assistant program is structured to comply with the Wayne State University standards, NAACLS standards, and AAPA professional scope of practice.

Surgical pathology

• Assure proper specimen collection and submission prior to accessioning.
• Obtain and review pertinent clinical information and history, including imaging studies, laboratory results, and operative records.
• Assure appropriate specimen accessioning and/or verification of unique patient identifiers.
• Assure proper specimen handling and fixation prior to processing.
• Perform the macroscopic description and dissection of all surgical specimens ranging from simple to complex cases including pertinent macroscopic information for the staging of complex cancer cases.
• Prepare and submit tissue sections for light microscopy.
• Obtain samples for ancillary studies including, but not limited to:
  • Tumor triage
  • Lymphoma protocol
  • Flow cytometric analysis
  • Immunofluorescence
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microbial cultivation
  • Molecular microbiology
  • Cytogenetic analysis
  • Electron microscopy
  • Tissue banking and clinical trials
  • Research
  • Microarray
  • Institutional tumor registries
• Perform Surgical Pathology Special Procedures including, but not limited to:
  • Decalcification
  • Frozen section 
  • Intraoperative consultation for evaluation of macroscopic specimen adequacy and margins
  • Biopsy preparation and orientation of muscle, nerve, heart,  and bone marrow tissues
  • Assessment of renal biopsy specimens for adequacy by evaluation of the presence of glomeruli
  • Touch preparations/imprints/squash preparations
  • Tumor mapping
  • Bone saw operation
• Perform imaging procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Specimen photomacrography
  • Photomicrography
  • Specimen radiography
  • Slide scanning
• Microscopic triage of surgical pathology cases for quality control and quality assurance purposes.
• Verify the accuracy and editing of CPT codes.
• Store and properly dispose of specimens.

Technical skills in autopsy pathology

• Assure proper autopsy authorization, permission, and release of body documents.
• Review the patient's medical record including imaging studies and laboratory results, etc.
• Perform postmortem examinations of adult, neonatal/perinatal, pediatric, forensic, or infectious autopsies to including: 
  • External examination
  • In situ organ inspection 
  • Evisceration
  • Dissection and dictation or recording of data including organ weights, measurements, presence and quantitation of body fluids, and macroscopic anatomic findings.
• Select, prepare, and submit appropriate tissue samples for the following:
  • Permanent section
  • Microbial cultivation
  • Tissue banking or research
  • Toxicology
• Perform Autopsy special procedures including:
  • Bone marrow sampling
  • Spinal cord removal
  • Long bone removal
  • Coronary artery perfusion
  • Central nervous system perfusion
  • Corneal removal and/or orbital enucleation
  • Temporal bone removal
• Perform Autopsy imaging procedures including:
  • Photomacrography of the body, internal organs, lesions, pertinent findings and external or internal identification markings
  • Photomicrography
  • Image analysis 
  • Radiography
• Preparation of reports and autopsy related tasks
  • Assure proper autopsy authorization, permission, and release of body documents.
  • Review the patient's medical record including imaging studies and laboratory results, etc.
  • Assist with preparation of the provisional anatomic diagnosis (PAD)
  • Reconstruct and prepare the body for release and maintain HIPAA criteria for the release of the body to the appropriate mortuary or funeral home representative.

Laboratory management

• Prepare for laboratory accreditation inspection.
• Write, maintain, and update policy and procedure manuals.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory agencies (e.g., The Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists [CAP], state and local accrediting agencies).
• Prepare and maintain quality assurance monitors (e.g., frozen section/permanent section concordance/discordance, turn-around-time reports).
• Participate in quality assurance/process improvement activities.
• Apply and adhere to safety protocols and procedures.
• Participate in safety training (e.g., chemical hygiene, infection control), avoid biological hazards, and practice proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the surgical and autopsy pathology suites, gross station, and instruments with daily disinfection.

Professional development

• Recognize and identify changes in trends in pathology practice, the impact of changing educational models and platforms, as well as changes in technological advances and practices in pathology.
• Recognize, develop and demonstrate highly ethical practices in pathology.