Pathology Assistant, Pathology Technologist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $25.22 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $28.74 |
| Top | $32.37 |
Interest in assisting pathologists to prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations; and in cleaning and maintaining autopsy, surgical and other equipment
Interest in precision working with autopsy and surgical equipment to weigh and photograph organs and specimens; may perform the duties of a medical laboratory technologist in some hospitals
Interest in compiling findings from chemical analyses of collected tissue specimens
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
A pathologist's assistant provides support and assistance to pathologists for preparing and analyzing medical and surgical samples. The work of a pathologist's assistant allows hospitals to confirm difficult diagnoses, recommend and perform medical or surgical treatments and gather valuable information and knowledge about disease and illness that may be useful for research purposes.
Pathologists' assistants' responsibilities include the following:
Hours of work may vary in this occupation. Pathologists' assistants may work full-time, part-time or casual hours. In research laboratories, they often work standard weekday hours. In diagnostic clinical laboratories, they may work rotating day, evening and night shifts (including weekends and holidays).
Pathologists' assistants work in laboratory environments where they may spend a lot of time standing or sitting, performing tasks that may be repetitive. They must observe safety precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious body fluids, dangerous chemicals or hazardous radiation.
Pathologists' assistants need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy:
Pathologists' assistants generally require a master's of science degree from a pathologist's assistant program, or an equivalent combination of training and experience as a Medical Laboratory Technologist or histotechnologist, though in some cases a bachelor's degree may be sufficient.
Membership with the Canadian Association of Pathologists (pathologist's assistant section) is generally preferred.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Pathologists' assistants typically work in hospital laboratories, but may also be employed by:
Pathologists' assistants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants. In Alberta, 91% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors, including:
Over 2,000 Albertans are employed in the Medical laboratory technologists and pathologists' assistants occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.7% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 74 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As pathologist's assistants form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for pathologist's assistants.
Demand for pathologists' assistants is expected to continue growing in Alberta, as the population ages and strain on the healthcare system increases. Employment opportunities are generated through the creation of new positions and through turnover due to retirement.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.00 | $40.00 | $25.22 | $22.73 |
| Overall | $24.62 | $40.00 | $28.74 | $27.00 |
| Top | $27.23 | $45.00 | $32.37 | $28.84 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,889 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $39,712 |
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta website: www.cmlta.org
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 21, 2013. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.