When someone says they’re a “PA,” it can mean two very different things. To most people, PA stands for physician assistant – a healthcare provider who sees patients, diagnoses illnesses, and prescribes treatments. But in the world of laboratory or diagnostic medicine, PA also refers to a pathologists’ assistant – a behind-the-scenes expert in gross tissue examination who looks at surgical specimens and performs autopsies to help pathologists make accurate diagnoses.
Although they share the same acronym, pathologists’ assistants and physician assistants are two entirely different professions. This article breaks down the differences in education, training, job duties, and work environments.
What is a Pathologists’ Assistant (PA)?
A pathologists’ assistant is a master’s trained professional who works exclusively in the field of pathology (more specifics can be found here).
Education and Training
- Requires a two-year master’s degree from a NAACLS-accredited program
- Training focuses on surgical pathology and autopsy pathology
Day-to-Day Duties
- Preparing surgical tissue for fixation
- Performing gross examination and dissection of surgical specimens
- Assisting pathologists with frozen sections during surgery
- Conducting hospital autopsies, preparing tissues for microscopic examination
- Ensuring specimens are processed properly so pathologists can render accurate diagnoses
Work Setting
- Primarily in hospital surgical pathology labs and academic medical centers
- Work is behind the scenes, with no direct patient contact
Pathologists’ assistants are essential members of the diagnostic team, making sure specimens are examined in a way that gives pathologists the clearest possible information to guide patient care.
What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
A physician assistant is a master’s-trained medical professional who provides direct patient care.
Education and Training
- Requires a master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program
- Education is broad, covering general medicine, pharmacology, and clinical practice
- Students complete multiple clinical rotations across specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and emergency medicine
Day-to-Day Duties
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses under the supervision of a physician
- Prescribing medications and developing treatment plans
- Performing minor procedures and assisting in surgeries
- Acting as a primary care provider in many settings
Work Setting
- Found in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, and specialty practices
- High levels of patient interaction, often working at the front lines of medical care
In other words, physician assistants are versatile healthcare providers who bridge the gap between patients and doctors in nearly every branch of medicine.
Pathologists’ Assistant vs. Physician Assistant: Key Differences
| Category | Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) | Physician Assistant (PA) |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 2-year Master’s (NAACLS-accredited) | 2-year Master’s (ARC-PA accredited) |
| Focus | Pathology & tissue examination | Clinical medicine & patient care |
| Main Duties | Gross dissection, frozen sections, autopsies | Diagnose, treat, prescribe, procedures |
| Work Setting | Hospital labs, pathology departments | Clinics, hospitals, specialties |
| Patient Contact | None | High, daily interaction |
Which PA Career is Right for You?
Both careers are rewarding, but they appeal to different strengths and interests.
- If you enjoy working with patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatments, a career as a physician assistant might be the right path
- If you’re more interested in working in a lab, handling surgical specimens, and contributing to diagnoses behind the scenes, becoming a pathologists’ assistant could be a better fit
Final Thoughts
The acronym “PA” may be shared, but the two careers couldn’t be more different. Physician assistants are patient-facing providers in clinical medicine, while pathologists’ assistants are laboratory-based specialists in surgical and autopsy pathology. Both play vital roles in healthcare – one directly caring for patients, the other ensuring that diagnoses are accurate and reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pathologists’ assistant prescribe medication?
No. Pathologists’ assistants do not provide direct patient care and cannot prescribe medications. Their role is limited to specimen dissection, autopsy procedures, and assisting pathologists in the diagnostic process.
Does a pathologists’ assistant make diagnoses?
No. A pathologists’ assistant performs work that assists the diagnostic process but it is a pathologist who gives a final diagnosis.
Do physician assistants work in pathology?
Not typically. Physician assistants are trained for clinical medicine and patient care. While they may rotate through surgical or hospital settings, they are not trained to perform pathology duties.
Is the education the same for both types of PA?
Both require a master’s degree, but from very different accrediting bodies. Pathologists’ assistants train through NAACLS-accredited programs in pathology, while physician assistants train through ARC-PA-accredited programs in clinical medicine.
Which PA career has more patient interaction?
Physician assistants work directly with patients every day. Pathologists’ assistants, on the other hand, work primarily in laboratories with no patient contact.