What You'll Do

  • Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness.
  • Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports.
  • Manage medical laboratories.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
  • 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.
  • Conduct research and present scientific findings.
  • Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.
  • Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists.
  • Obtain specimens by performing procedures, such as biopsies or fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of superficial nodules.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.25/5
Writing 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Science 4.0/5
Active Learning 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.88/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Instructing 3.25/5
Time Management 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Achievement/Effort, Stress Tolerance

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Inductive Reasoning 4.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.38/5
Oral Comprehension 4.25/5
Written Expression 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Oral Expression 4.12/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Near Vision 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Accounts receivables system software Anatomic pathology software Antek HealthWare LabDAQ Aspyra CyberLAB Aspyra CyberPATH Blood Bank Computer Systems Blood Bank Control System Blood bank information systems Cerner CoPathPlus Cerner Millennium PathNet Cerner Millennium PathNet Blood Bank Transfusion Cerner Millennium ProFit Clinical Information Systems CISLab CPS Clinical Software Solutions CLIN1 Suite ClinLab LIS ComBase Comp Pro Med Polytech Computer Service and Support AR 2000 Laboratory Billing System Computer Trust WinSurge Cortex Medical Management Systems Cortex Medical Billing Cortex Medical Management Systems The Gold Standard

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.92/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.72/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Achievement/Effort (High importance: 4.44/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.43/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Anatomic Pathologist Animal Pathologist Autopsy Pathologist Chemical Pathologist Clinical Pathologist Cytologist Cytopathologist Dermatopathologist Forensic Pathologist Hematopathologist Histopathologist Immunopathologist Medical Pathologist Molecular Genetic Pathologist Molecular Pathologist Neuropathologist Ocular Pathologist Ophthalmic Pathologist Oral Pathologist Pathologist Pathologist Physician Pathology Physician Pediatric Pathologist Poultry Pathologist Surgical Pathologist Veterinary Pathologist