Medical Career Pathway

Pathologists

Duties and Responsibilities:

Pathologists are physicians that use bodily fluids and tissues to help study, diagnose, and treat diseases. They work in various medical settings, performing research and patient tests, and often collaborating with other professionals in their field. Their responsibilitiy is to perform autopsies to determine a cause of death, be in charge of a laboratory with the responsibility of managing other physicians and lab technicians and keep abreast of research and development in the field of pathology to keep current on existing data in medical practices and disease.

Salary:

$191,945 - $220,785

Education:

A pathologist can take 12 years or more, and begins with earning your bachelor's degree in a program with a pre-medical curriculum. After your undergrad studies are complete, you must attend an accredited medical school and earn either a Medical Doctor degree. Programs are four years in length and can include studies in pathology, emergency medicine, cardiology and medical ethics.

Skills in Demand:

• excellent communication skills
• the ability to work under pressure and make quick, accurate decisions
• to be good at recognising visual patterns
• good problem solving skills
• the ability to put people at their ease and inspire trust and confidence