Pathologist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A pathologist could...

Overview Listen to this section

Do you enjoy solving mysteries? Getting to the end of a "who did it" mystery novel can be lots of fun! But are there mysteries in real life? You bet there are! A pathologist is a medical detective, and their job is to figure out the root cause of real-life medical puzzles. Pathologists work in a wide range of fields and can help diagnose types of cancer, find out what killed a person, and investigate how disease progresses on a molecular level. If you enjoy employing cool logic to solve mysteries, then you should seriously consider a career as a pathologist.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Pathologist?

1. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
2. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
4. 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.
5. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

6. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
7. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
8. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
9. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
10. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Pathologist might do:

• Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
• Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
• 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.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
• Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
• Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
• Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports.
• Manage medical laboratories.
• Develop or adopt new tests or instruments to improve diagnosis of diseases.
• Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions, such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
• Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists.
• Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.