How to Become a Pathologist

Pathologists study diseases in patients and help with their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. There are several different types of pathologist; some mainly work in laboratories, whereas others work directly with patients.

A pathologist examines patients and samples, diagnoses diseases and works with the prevention and treatment of these illnesses. They generally work in hospital laboratories, but their job may entail direct patient contact, depending on their specialisms. 

There are five main specialisms of pathology, as well as some sub-specialisms: 

• Clinical pathologists work in labs and clinics. They will use biochemical tests for the diagnosis and treating of patients. 
• Haematologists work with blood disorders, including bone marrow conditions. 
• Histopathologists use medical examples from cells and tissues to diagnose diseases, as well as study their progression in the body. Forensic histopathologists perform autopsies to analyse the cause of death. 
• Medical microbiologists and virologists study contagious diseases and try to prevent infection in hospitals and the community.

The duties of a pathologist vary depending on their specialism, but they generally entail: 

• Examining patients and diagnosing what tests need to be carried out to determine their condition. 
• Working closely with clinical staff, offering expert opinions on what tests should be administered on patients. 
• Educating other healthcare professionals using their medical expertise. 
• Interpreting test results and advising about next steps. 
• Researching and staying up to date with new information. 
• Sometimes, teaching junior staff. 

Pathologists should have a degree in medicine. This qualification generally takes 5-6 years to obtain, although it can be done in a shorter time if they already have a science degree. After the degree pathologists will undertake foundation training, where they will work as a junior doctor with a specialism in pathology. Candidates will then study one of the pathology specialisms. 

Before applying for a degree, pathologists should have a strong portfolio of work experience. They can gain this by volunteering at a hospital or shadowing a doctor.

As this job entails much patient contact, often with patients in distressing situations, pathologists should be empathetic and able to relate to people. They will also need to have collaborative skills as they will be expected to work with other professionals. Later in their career, pathologists may need to train junior doctors and manage other employees, so they should exhibit managerial skills.

Other pathologist skills include problem-solving and decision making. Their entire job revolves around diagnosis, so they will frequently need to come up with solutions to problems based on their expertise. They should also have the motivation to be constantly learning; continuous professional development is a large part of a pathologist’s career. 

Pathologists may need to work nights, weekends, or be on call – especially while they are training. Some pathologists assume a part-time role later in their career.