Post job

Pathologist assistant vs md

The differences between pathologist assistants and mds can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a pathologist assistant and an md. Additionally, an md has an average salary of $75,011, which is higher than the $50,079 average annual salary of a pathologist assistant.

The top three skills for a pathologist assistant include ASCP, patients and PA. The most important skills for an md are patients, customer service, and surgical procedures.

Pathologist assistant vs md overview

Pathologist AssistantMD
Yearly salary$50,079$75,011
Hourly rate$24.08$36.06
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs62,90058,569
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a pathologist assistant do?

A pathologist assistant is responsible for helping pathologists in conducting laboratory investigations by studying human specimens and surgical biopsies for diagnosis and identify a person's cause of death. Pathologist assistants perform autopsy functions under the supervision of the pathologist, following the strict safety protocols and regulations. They must have excellent organizational skills, especially in operating various equipment to prevent potential hazards and disease contamination. A pathologist assistant creates a comprehensive report of findings for the pathologist's review before releasing the final records.

What does an md do?

A Doctor of Medicine or MD is the designation of a person who completed medical education. Generally, MDs focus on the treatment of conditions in need of medication. These doctors do health assessments, prescribe medication, run diagnostic tests, treat patients, and offer health and wellness advice. Among their health specialties are in the areas of neurology, gynecology, and dermatology. They may also perform surgery when necessary. All these are made possible with their knowledge and skills in medicine.

Pathologist assistant vs md salary

Pathologist assistants and mds have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pathologist AssistantMD
Average salary$50,079$75,011
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $101,000Between $25,000 And $224,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyEssentia HealthAtrium Health Floyd
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between pathologist assistant and md education

There are a few differences between a pathologist assistant and an md in terms of educational background:

Pathologist AssistantMD
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common college--

Pathologist assistant vs md demographics

Here are the differences between pathologist assistants' and mds' demographics:

Pathologist AssistantMD
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 39.4% Female, 60.6%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 47.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between pathologist assistant and md duties and responsibilities

Pathologist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Recognize & investigate instrument malfunctions, perform calibrations, manage QC, and maintain comprehensive written records of tests & procedures.
  • Assist and perform frozen sections, teach pathology residents and pa's.
  • Assist doctor when seeing patients, and document all patient information in paper chart and EMR.
  • Perform blood draws, record vital signs, maintain medical records, DNA collection, EKG's, medical office duties.
  • Gross examination, description, measuring and sectioning all kind of surgical specimens receive in the pathology laboratory.
  • Employ all require OSHA safety procedures and devices.
  • Show more

Md example responsibilities.

  • Manage the office regarding Clia and OSHA laws and regulations
  • Manage on call pager for after hours triage and urgent matters while staying in complete communication with the physician.
  • Manage patient files by making new charts, keying all encounters through ICD-9 coding procedures and posting in patient database.
  • Operate electrocardiograph (EKG), call to schedule test for patients and routine office visits.
  • Back office responsibilities include rooming patients, obtaining vitals, chief complaint and documenting into EMR system.
  • Assist physicians in exams rooms, administer intramuscular injections and perform venipuncture on adult and pediatric patients.
  • Show more

Pathologist assistant vs md skills

Common pathologist assistant skills
  • ASCP, 14%
  • Patients, 11%
  • PA, 11%
  • Dictation, 7%
  • Frozen Sections, 7%
  • Anatomic Pathology, 5%
Common md skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 6%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

Browse healthcare support jobs