Pathologist

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Work Tasks

PATHOLOGISTS use tools of laboratory medicine to provide information essential to problem solving in clinical practice. Pathologists have access to knowledge gained from the examination and treatment of large numbers of patients. They help in the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients and make contributions that advance the understanding of disease. Anatomic pathology involves the diagnosis of disease by studying body tissues and cells. Clinical pathologists diagnose diseases by analysis of tests on blood or other body tissues. Pathologists are closely involved in the continuing medical education of practicing physicians.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $247,000 average per year ($118.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (93,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (4.0% per year)

Entry Requirements

To become a PATHOLOGIST, a candidate must have successfully graduated from medical school. Medical school graduates need four to five years of accredited residency training to prepare for a career in pathology. Most pathology residents train in both anatomic pathology (AP) and clinical pathology (CP). Certification for the medical practice of pathology is obtained from the American Board of Pathology (ABP) which offers primary specialty and subspecialty examinations for certification.