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Pathologist Career Guide

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Real-Life Pathologist Job Profiles

Below is a list of links to anonymous job profiles of REAL PEOPLE who have filled out our survey and offered to share their insights with our users about their job in the Pathologist field.
ID Job Title Gender Age Earnings City & State Date
33287 Pathology Assistant Female 36 $25,000 ANtioch, TN 01/01/2010

Overview

A pathologist is a scientist who studies the causes and effects of disease by examining laboratory samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes. They help care for patients by providing doctors with the information needed to ensure appropriate patient care, and are therefore a valuable resource to other physicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Pathologists can work in all areas of clinical medicine and they study body fluids and tissues. They work to help doctors make diagnosis about heath or medical problems, they use laboratory tests to monitor the health of patients, they can examine biopsy tissue to determine cancer, work in genetic testing to determine the best treatment or they may recommend steps to prevent illness and maintain good health. On top of this, some pathologists also perform autopsies to determine the cause of death.

To become a pathologist requires some serious educational commitment! First, you will need to earn a bachelor?s degree in biology, chemistry or premedical studies. You may then want to earn a master?s degree in pathology, microbiology or biochemistry. This is not a completely necessary step, but it will equip you to work in laboratories and give you experiencing in assisting pathologists. Aspiring pathologists must attend medical school, for four years, to achieve Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. After completing their medical training, pathologists do a four-year residency and then get certified by the American Board of Pathology and licensed by the state to practice medicine.

As well as the extensive educational commitment required to become a pathologist, which makes it a tricky career to get into, pathologists often work long hours (over 40 a week) and can face some pretty stressful situations.

However, despite, this, the extensive training is rewarded by the opportunity to earn a comfortable living. Pathology is also a very fast-growing profession and pathologists are in demand, meaning that once you are qualified it shouldn’t be too hard to find a job! What is more, is that no two days are the same and that pathologists get to do exciting and thrilling jobs.

To be a successful pathologist, you need to be curious and meticulous. On top of this, you should also show complex problem-solving skills, excellent communication and strong analytical thinking. If this sounds like you, and you want an exciting career in medicine, then look no further?


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