Professional development

Many of the pathologists' assistant programs either require or strongly recommend that applicants spend some time in a lab, observing the job responsibilities of a practicing pathologist's assistant. Shadowing requirements can vary in both length and location. The WSU Pathologists' Assistant program requires a minimum of eight hours of shadowing experience in a surgical lab setting and a minimum of five hours in a medical examiner setting. It is the student's responsibility to know the shadowing requirements and recommendations for the programs to which they plan to apply. 

Most programs do not offer shadowing opportunities for applicants. As such, the PMHSC advisors recommend that students who are interested in shadowing reach out directly to pathologists' assistants currently working in a healthcare system. The chances that working PAs had to shadow to get into their program are good, and they often welcome undergraduate students pursuing a career as a pathologist's assistant. The PMHSC advisors suggest checking local hospital systems for pathology labs first when looking for PAs to shadow. Most PAs working in Michigan are employed in surgical settings.   

The observations an applicant makes during shadowing and can articulate in writing or during an interview can set them apart from other applicants. The PMHSC advisors suggest preparing a list of questions about program curriculum and clinical rotations, the profession and day-to-day responsibilities before shadowing. Shadowing settings may vary in terms of what a student is permitted to bring in so be prepared with a notebook or something to record responses with to use during or after your shadowing experience.  

The WSU PA program requires that shadowing hours be documented on WSU-specific forms. The Surgical Shadowing Form and Forensic Shadowing Form can be found on the CPHS website.