The basics
What's it like to be a pathologist?
Overview
A pathologist is a medical doctor who analyzes human tissue, bone, bodily fluids, and blood in order to find abnormalities or diagnose diseases. After reaching a diagnosis through various diagnostic tests, pathologists provide a recommended course of treatment. They also interpret laboratory information to try and solve medical mysteries. Pathologists are not the ones who communicate with patients, rather, they spend their time working behind a microscope in labs. Pathology is a great field for people interested in analysis, anatomy and biology, and solving mysteries. This field can be used in various settings, such as a police investigation, the morgue, in a lab, or the hospital. For example, a forensic pathologist works with the police to solve homicides. There are many sub-specialties in pathology like dermatology or blood analysis, so the possibilities are endless!
Requirements
Pathology is an exciting and innovative career, so it requires a lot of education. A pathologist needs a bachelor's degree, typically in premedical studies, biology, or chemistry. Students move onto medical school and after receiving a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, pathologists complete a four year residency program to gain experience in a hospital setting. The last step to becoming a pathologist is getting certified by the American Board of Pathology and licensed by the state. There are other career options for people who do not want to go to medical school such as a medical technologist, cytotechnologist, or medical lab technician. However, no matter what career you choose, education is a crucial part of understanding new technologies, diseases, cures, and treatments to further advance in the medical industry.
What Can High School Students Do?
- Take biology, forensics and chemistry classes
- Intern at a lab
- Try to solve mysteries
- Escape rooms, puzzles, murder mysteries
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