As part of the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, our Pathologist’s Assistants are part of one of the largest pathology teams in Canada. This program serves a community of over 1.5 million, providing care for patients who live across a wide area including Hamilton, Niagara, Halton, Simcoe and Guelph.
At Hamilton Health Sciences, Pathologist’s Assistants are highly trained health-care professionals who play a vital role in pathology laboratories and patient care. Our Pathologist’s Assistants use hands-on dissection and perform gross examining, describing, dissecting, and sampling of Surgical Gross Specimens and more. They are vital members of the Pathology team who actively participate in disease diagnosis and inform the practice of specimen and tissue grossing and autopsy examinations. Pathologist’s Assistants are part of a growing profession that is supported by formalized training at HHS.
Education requirements
- Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences/Biology related), allied health sciences or related degree
- A Masters level Pathologist’s Assistant degree program or a minimum of 2 years of experience working as a Pathologist’s Assistant
Registration requirements
Preferred:
Certification with Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP) – Section of Pathologists’ Assistant (CCCPA)
OR certification with American Society for Clinical Pathology – Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC)
Union group
Non-union
Highlights
Gross examination of tissue is completed at our Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster University Medical Centre, and Hamilton General Hospital. The surgical pathology team consists of medical laboratory technologists, medical laboratory assistants, a technical specialist, pathologist’s assistants, and pathologists.
We are a designated training centre for residents in Anatomical and General Pathology for McMaster University.
The Forensics Laboratory, located at the Hamilton General Hospital has a team consisting of forensic pathologists and morgue technicians. Experts from the Forensics Laboratory are often called upon by the Criminal Justice system to testify.
We offers a unique opportunity for professional development, research and role-related teaching in diverse areas such as neuropathology, cardiovascular, pediatric and other sub-specialty pathologists.