Pathologist

Pathologists must first become physicians, completing four years of college, four years of medical school and then three to eight years of internship and residency. Students wishing to become pathologists have to have an extremely strong science background, particularly in biology, physics, organic chemistry, mathematics and inorganic chemistry. Some students gain practical experience by volunteering at hospitals or community clinics. Prospective students compete fiercely for acceptance to a medical school, which require interviews, college transcripts, background checks, letters of recommendation and passing scores on the Medical College Admission test. In the last two years of medical school, students work directly with patients, under the supervision of an experienced physician. Each student rotates through all the specialties of medicine. After graduating from medical school, prospective physicians enter residency, a paid-on the job-training program associated with a teaching hospital. A medical education costs a great of money with 80% of all medical school graduates having debt.

In the US, all physicians have to pass a state licensing examination prior to practicing in that state and not all states accept the transfer of a license from another state. In addition all specialists, including pathologists, must pass another licensing examination for that specialty. In the case of pathologists, The American Board of Pathology develops and administers that examination.

After completing residency the prospective pathologist must apply to the American Board Of Pathology. If the Board accepts the application and its supporting documents, the candidate will be eligible to take the pathologist examination for a five-year period. If they do not pass within this period, the candidate must obtain more training.

As scientific knowledge changes constantly, this initial examination does not end the necessary examinations. In order to maintain certification, the pathologist must complete four tasks within a ten year period: 1) maintain professional standing (full and unrestricted medical licensure in home state and health care organization privileges), 2) Complete 35 continuing medical education units, 3) pass another examination and 4) successfully pass an evaluation of their performance in practice.

A physician examines a patient, but a pathologist examines tissues and fluids. They examine biopsies, blood and stool samples, rather than living people. Based in a laboratory, a pathologist receives specimens to examine and sends his or her reports back to doctors. Pathologists conduct autopsies in order to determine cause of death. Frequently, pathologists manage medical laboratories and develop laboratory information systems.

Pathology has four branches: anatomical, clinical, forensic and molecular. In anatomical pathology, the pathologist examines solids, such as organs and tissues. In clinical pathology, the pathologist examines liquids, such as urine and blood. Frequently, a pathologist will switch between these two branches.

A forensic pathologist examines cadavers and works backwards to learn the cause of death, rather than examining living tissue to diagnose and treat disease. Along with the coroner, a forensic pathologist functions as part of the criminal investigation system. Sometimes an autopsy can occur outside of the criminal investigation system. A medical doctor will ask, with the consent of next of kin, for an autopsy to determine the cause of death of a patient.

A molecular pathologist studies disease processes through nucleic acid-based techniques, such as DNA sequencing and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. This type of pathologist works with both hereditary and acquired diseases.

Like any other physician, a pathologist has to have an interest in and an affection for, the natural sciences. Any physician also has to have the motivation to pursue continuous education throughout their entire career, as medical needs and knowledge grows. Unlike other physicians, however, a pathologist has to prefer lab work to people contact. Pathologists have to be detail oriented and have good pattern recognition skills.

If the annual salaries of all pathologists were tabulated, from the lowest to the highest, the median would be that point at which 50% of the salaries were lower and 50% were higher, but most salaries differ somewhat from the median. The best estimate of a potential salary lies in the range between the 25th and the 75th percentile, known as the middle 50% of salaries. The 25th percentile is the point at which 25% of salaries are below. The 75th percentile is the point at which 75% of all salaries are below.

For pathologists in 2008, the middle 50% begins at $189,914 and ends at $270,494 per year. The median was not available.

James L. Madara, Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Pathology specializes in epithelial cell biology and gastro-intestinal disease. Dr. Madara also serves the University of Chicago in the following roles: Professor, CEO of the University of Chicago Medical Center; University Vice President for Medical Affairs; Dean, Division of the Biological Sciences; and Dean, the Pritzker School of Medicine.

Robert W. McKenna, M.D. President of American Society of Clinical Pathologists, also serves on the American Board of Pathology. He is the executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Pathology and Medical Director, School of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center.

The American Society for Investigative Pathology represents bio-medical scientists. Its website offers educational information, job listings and conference information.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) represents board certified pathologists. With 17,000 members, it forms the largest society of pathologists in the country. It promotes quality assurance in laboratories. CAP has accredited 6,000 laboratories worldwide, while a further 23,000 are enrolled in its proficiency testing program. Its website features educational programs, reference resources and publications and a career center.

The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology has as its mission, the provision of continuing medical education in the field of pathology at the practical level. The website features mostly educational, training and conference materials. It publishes two journals, 'Laboratory Investigation' and 'Modern Pathology'. 'Laboratory Investigation' focuses more on research, while 'Modern Pathology' leans more to the utilitarian and applied side.

The three cities with the most jobs listed for pathologist are Los Angeles, California, Kansas City, Missouri and Munster, Indiana. None of these cities listed many jobs.