How to Become a Pathologist Assistant in Arizona

A pathologists' assistant is an allied health professional who assists the pathologist in the laboratory preparing specimens and assisting with autopsies. This allied health career, founded in 1969, helps in the efficiency and overhead cost of pathological tissue evaluations. Pathologists' assistants are employed throughout the United States, including in Arizona.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma Bachelor's degree in science Master's degree in pathologists' assistant Profession resume

Instructions

1. Find an accredited pathologists' assistant educational program. There are only eight accredited programs in the United States. They all are a 2-year program granting the graduate a Masters in Science diploma. A description of each school can be found at http://www.pathologistsassistants.org/Default.aspx?s=TrainingPrograms. There are no schools in Arizona that offer a pathologists' assistant program. Moving to another area is necessary for this education. The admission requirement for these programs is a bachelor's degree in medical science or a related discipline.

2. Attend and successfully graduate an accredited pathologists' assistant program. Pass the National Pathologist Certification Exam and become certified. This certification is not mandatory with all employers. However, being certified may increase the chances of obtaining a job above the completion.

3. Prepare a cover letter and professional resume. Identify potential employers in Arizona. The most popular employer will be hospitals in Arizona. Other potential employers may include private, freestanding pathological laboratories and research centers. Search online and print employment advertisements and look for any pathologists' assistant job openings in Arizona, and submit the professional resume.

4. Directly contact facilities, either by phone or in person, and inquire about pathologists' assistants job openings. Request to submit a resume for the file to be reviewed for any future openings. Follow up frequently on all resumes submitted and inquire about the status. The job market for a pathologists' assistant in Arizona is very competitive. Among the places candidates could inquire are Caris Diagnostics in Pheonix, New Hope Medical in Scottsdale, Kino Community Hospital in Tucson and Chandler Regional Hospital in Phoenix.

5. Consider relocating or commuting. This may be necessary, given how competitive this job market is, Also, the salary range for a pathologists' assistant in Arizona has traditionally run considerably below the national average.

Tips & Warnings

• Be persistent but polite when following up on prospective employers.

• Don't submit sloppy, unprofessional resumes.

Resources

• American Association of Pathologists' Assistants