Entry-Level Expectations for Pathologists' Assistants

Abstract Introduction/Objective The aim of this study is to assess expectations for entrustment that exist in the marketplace for entry-level Pathologists’ Assistants (defined as a recent graduate of a Pathologists’ Assistant Program on their first day of employment). Methods/Case Report A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to Pathologist and Pathologists’ Assistant (PathA) members of the American Society for Clinical Pathology via email invitation. Ninety-eight professional activities of PathAs were assessed utilizing a five-point scale for levels of entrustment. Demographic information was also collected. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) A total of 728 participants responded to this survey, including 280 Pathologists and 448 PathAs. Responses allowed categorization of activities to one of three groups: activities with an expectation of entrustment for performance (20/98), activities with no expectation of entrustment (30/98), and activities with a developing expectation of entrustment for performance (48/98). Conclusion This study demonstrates that there is an expectation that entry-level PathAs should be entrusted to independently perform only some activities included in the scope of practice, an expectation of developing entrustment for a larger number of professional activities and no expectation for entrustment for certain activities, reflecting more advanced or specialized skills developed during practice.