News

Amanda Harshbarger, MS, PA(ASCP)^CM , was raised on a small farm and spent much of her youth around animals, including showing horses. A love of animals led to an appreciation for their care, anatomy, and well-being. Ms. Harshbarger’s early interest, and undergraduate study, in veterinary medicine led to an exploration of other career fields that required the same level of expertise and impact. That search led her to pathology and ultimately to the Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) profession.

Ms. Harshbarger is committed to elevating the role and visibility of the Pathologists’ Assistant profession. She volunteers her time, subject matter expertise, and vision with ASCP to elevate awareness of PA contributions and showcase the many ways their expertise can translate beyond traditional practice, “Valuable transferable skills are not always immediately recognized when someone’s professional identity is closely associated with a highly specialized role,” said Ms. Harshbarger.

Here, Amanda Harshbarger, MS, PA(ASCP)^CM, shares her path to laboratory medicine and Pathologists’ Assistant, her volunteer efforts on behalf of the profession, and the importance of recognizing transferable skills and expertise.

What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in laboratory medicine and pathology?

I discovered that I was especially drawn to the hands-on, behind-the-scenes work; the anatomy, dissection, and investigative process of understanding disease, when studying veterinary medicine. I loved the combination of technical skill, focused work, and problem-solving, as well as the opportunity to contribute to an understanding of what was happening within a patient.

When I began exploring graduate school options, I looked for a career that offered that same combination of skills and meaningful impact. That search led me to pathology and ultimately to the Pathologists’ Assistant profession.

The PA role felt like a natural extension of what I had loved about veterinary medicine: working with complex anatomy, evaluating specimens, making critical observations, and contributing to a diagnosis in a way that truly matters. I was drawn to the idea that although much of our work happens behind the scenes, it plays an essential role in a patient’s care.

Behind every specimen is a person waiting for answers. Pathologists’ Assistants play an important role in providing those answers with accuracy, precision, and urgency. Every dissection, measurement, observation, and detail we document is performed with the understanding that a patient's next step may depend on the quality of our work.

Our work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is very much at the forefront of patient care.

How did you first get involved with ASCP? What—or perhaps who—motivated you to become a volunteer?

After spending 20 years on the bench, I reached a point in my career where I was ready to explore an industry role, something that would allow me to apply my experience in a new way and make a broader impact. What surprised me was how challenging that transition could be.

It wasn't a lack of skill or readiness. Rather, I realized there was a lack of visibility around what Pathologists’ Assistants do and the depth of expertise we bring to healthcare. PAs are subject matter experts who manage complex specimens, make critical grossing decisions, optimize workflows, collaborate closely with pathologists and other members of the healthcare team, and develop a wide range of transferable skills.

That experience made me realize that I wanted to advocate for the profession more intentionally. I wanted to help broaden the understanding of the PA role, elevate awareness of our contributions, and showcase the many ways our expertise can translate beyond traditional practice.

ASCP provides an important platform for that work. Volunteering gives me an opportunity to advocate for the profession while also supporting the next generation of Pathologists’ Assistants. I want future PAs to have greater visibility, more opportunities, and fewer barriers when exploring the many career paths available to them.

What is something that has surprised you about working in the lab?

What has surprised me most is how much expertise and professional versatility can develop through laboratory work and how difficult it can sometimes be to recognize those skills as transferable.

After 20 years on the bench, I realized that my experience had given me much more than technical expertise. I have developed skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, workflow optimization, communication, collaboration, and navigating complex situations. These are valuable skills in many areas of healthcare and industry, yet they are not always immediately recognized when your professional identity is closely associated with a highly specialized role.

That realization has shaped my approach to advocacy. I believe Pathologists’ Assistants bring far more to the table than a niche technical skill set. We bring clinical judgment, subject-matter expertise, operational insight, and a deep understanding of the diagnostic process. One of the things I hope to contribute through my involvement with ASCP is helping others recognize that value and helping PAs recognize it in themselves as well.