Physicians, Pathologists

Anatomic Pathologist
Cytopathologist
Dermatopathologist
Forensic Pathologist
Hematopathologist
Neuropathologist
Oral Pathologist
Pathologist
Surgical Pathologist

What is a Physician, Pathologist?

A physician, pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the study and diagnosis of disease by examining tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and autopsies. Their primary role involves analyzing laboratory results, interpreting medical tests, and providing insights into the causes and consequences of diseases. Pathologists play a crucial role in patient care, as they help guide treatment decisions by identifying the nature of diseases through microscopic examination and various diagnostic tools. They often work closely with other healthcare professionals, including surgeons, oncologists, and primary care physicians, to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. In addition to clinical practice, many pathologists are involved in research and teaching, advancing knowledge in the field of medicine and contributing to the development of new diagnostic techniques.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
  • Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
  • Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
  • Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
  • Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.

Technology Skills

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

  • Biology

    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

  • Education and Training

    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Writing

    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Active Learning

    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities

  • Inductive Reasoning

    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Written Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Post-doctoral training
    62 %
  • Doctoral degree
    29 %
  • Master's degree
    6 %

Work Activities

  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

    Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

  • Documenting/Recording Information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • Processing Information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
  • Diagnose medical conditions.
  • Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
  • Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
  • Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.

Work Interests

  • Investigative

    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Advertisement

Get a Well-Paying Job Fast

Start Your Career

Get Started
Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.