Pathologist Assistant Program Interview Questions

[@stephaniewright8570]

Thank you so much for making this video, it was really helpful! I've been doing a lot of research for my interview and I'm feeling more prepared but it's still nerve wracking to say the least.

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

I’m glad you found it helpful! I’ve found no matter how much preparation I’ve done there’s always a small element of nerves before walking into an interview so you’re not alone there!

[@ngathypham9234]

Thanks a lot! These are super helpful.

[@nolanic]

I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

Happy to hear it!

[@bernanamaganda9914]

Hey... I have a virtual interview on Thursday and I don't know where to start from..... From Uganda.. The organization is in the US... Any advice??

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

Are you interviewing for one of the PA programs? Or for a job as a PA? Prepping for an interview will vary a lot depending on which of these you have. If it’s a school program I at least would write out and practice giving answers to the questions I covered in this video as well as have 2-3 questions you want to ask them prepped. Did you have any contact with the school/job before getting your interview? Did you speak with someone directly involved in the position? And did they mention any qualities of their previous applicants or students to you that they liked or were looking for (eg worked well independently etc)? If you can highlight how you'd be a good because of how you have developed that/those specific qualities it is a good way to come across as a good prospect. And if you didn't speak to anyone directly about this, the website of the school or job may give you hints about this as well. Good luck!

[@martini4549]

Do you think the pathologist assistant profession has a good job outlook within the next 5-10 years in the United States? I’m starting my undergraduate studies this fall and the PA profession greatly interests me. Thanks.

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

Yes definitely! As the US population continues to grow (estimated to increase by ~79 million by 2060, www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p25-1144.pdf) there will be more healthcare requirements and more specimens that end up in the lab to be grossed. There's also a large population of baby boomers who will be utilizing healthcare more in the coming years. To process all that extra work, PA's are the more cost effective option in the lab when compared to the alternative (ie a pathologist). When it comes to grossing all day, a pathologist is almost 4x more expensive than a PA (academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/112/5/619/1758232) so this job seems like it would be the logical choice to fill that increased demand in a cost effective manner. And lastly, there is a trend of decreasing numbers of practicing pathologists per 100K of population (from 5.7 to 3.7 per 100K over next 2 decades, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23738764/). This means that more of a pathologists' time will be dedicated to diagnosing slides and less will be available for grossing specimens in a lab.- which will also increase demand for PAs in a lab.

[@stephaniewright8570]

I have a random question that you probably can't answer. I had my interview over 3 weeks ago now, and they'd said at the interview I would hear the decision the following week, but I've heard nothing. I have emailed once politely asking when I might hear by, and if I'd hear if I was rejected, but also haven't even had a response to that email. Does three weeks seem reasonable or should I just accept that I didn't get in and move on with other plans?

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

It seems unusual that you haven't heard anything by now after 3 weeks and a follow up email. That timeframe seems a bit long to me and for something like this program I would like to know for sure one way or the other. I'm not sure exactly how the notification process is handled but I would probably reach out once more to see if you could get an answer.

[@stephaniewright8570]

@@canadianpathassistant9066 they finally just got back to me, apparently a previous email didn't go through. I'm 3rd on the waitlist so not exactly promising lol. Thanks for all your help through this process though!

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

@@stephaniewright8570 Ah shoot. I'm glad you heard back at least

[@stephaniewright8570]

@@canadianpathassistant9066 as a random follow up, I got in! Very late notice, but I am still super stoked! Thank you for all your help, and I look forward to putting some of your other videos into more use now that I am in the program.

[@canadianpathassistant9066]

@@stephaniewright8570 Thanks for the follow up! That's great to hear and congratulations! =)