What does a pathologist do?

Q: What do pathologists do on a daily basis?

On a daily basis, pathologists examine bodily fluids, tissues, and cells to identify diseases and medical conditions. Pathologists utilize a variety of techniques, including microscopic examination, to make accurate diagnoses. They also play a vital role in guiding patient treatment plans by providing essential information to doctors about the nature and progression of diseases.

Q: What degree do you need to be a pathologist?

There are multiple steps and degrees required to become a pathologist. These steps include both college and medical school degrees. While many medical schools require a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite when applying, some do not. These medical schools look only at relevant coursework that has been completed in the fields of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Candidates must also pass the MCAT and enroll in an accredited medical school.

Q: What does a pathologist study?

A pathologist studies disease. They are medical doctors that have been specially trained in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disorders in body tissues and fluids. They analyze body tissues and other materials taken from the body and use their findings to diagnose and monitor disease. A pathologist is sometimes considered to be the second line of clinical care since they help primary physicians make or confirm diagnoses. They use a variety of procedures, tests and examinations when doing this. These may include: Biopsies Autopsies Pap smears Blood sugar tests Blood investigations Microscopic examinations Fine needle aspirations A pathologist helps in many different areas. They may study different health issues such as cancer, tuberculosis, or anemia. They may be needed to determine a patient's cause of death. They play vital roles in researching new diseases and treatments. They aid in developing vaccines.

Q: Where do pathologists work?

Pathologists work in universities, independent laboratories, and hospitals. Pathologists at universities are often working around other faculty and students and are able to focus on pathology. They can lecture and also write literature and be published in pathology. Pathologists who work in hospitals often work alongside a variety of people, specialties, and patients. These pathologists are often able to apply pathology and try to use it in very specific cases on real-life individuals. Pathologists at hospitals will work to diagnose and treat various illnesses and diseases. This can be emotionally taxing but incredibly important work. If you are interested in the research and development side of pathology, working in a laboratory could be a great fit for you. You will often work among other researchers in your field. Together, you will work to research new advancements in your field and then publish your findings throughout your career.

Q: Who do pathologists work with?

Pathologists work with clinical laboratory scientists and medical technologists, surgeons and surgical pathologists, and radiologists. Here is a closer look at the variety of medical professionals that a pathologist works with

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Pathologists are medical healthcare professionals who are responsible for conducting examinations of bodies and body tissues. These pathologists must perform laboratory tests of body fluids and tissues to help primary care doctors make a diagnosis about the health of patients who are with chronic conditions. They specialize in genetic testing that will examine a tissue biopsy to determine whether a tumor is benign or cancerous. Pathologists must also perform autopsies to inform family members of the deceased about the cause of death and help them take preventive action for their own health.

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Pathologist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real pathologist resumes:

Supervise and manage pathology, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory.
Provide consultations to care providers and interpret laboratory findings and diagnosis to patients.
Screen by ELISA & immunoblots.
Result in answering an FDA concern regarding device.
Participate in FDA submissions, plan 510k and PMA submissions.
Perform oncology markers and hormonal assays by Elisa and Delfia system.
Implement a qPCR diagnostic assay for detection & quantification of aphid DNA.
Key member of team preparing the animal facilty to conduct GLP compliant studies.
Provide admissions assessments and administer TB skin tests as required by medical facility.
Document, interpret, analyze, and report pathologic findings in GLP and non- GLP studies.
Prepare specimen for pathologist fro dictation.
Provide pathology diagnosis and prepare appropriate medical reports.
Plan, direct and conduct rehabilitation treatment programs.
Provide guidance and oversight to in-house histology and necropsy operations.
Define embolic material as originating from delivery catheter, not from study device.

Pathologist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 31% of Pathologists are proficient in Patients, Patient Care, and Diagnosis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Organizational skills, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Pathologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Patients, 31%
Assisted patients in obtaining pathology materials for additional treatment.
Patient Care, 11%
Evaluated patient care procedural changes for effectiveness.
Diagnosis, 8%
Provided pathology diagnosis and prepared appropriate medical reports.
GI, 4%
Practiced high-volume anatomic and clinical pathology including GI, GU, pulmonary, and gynecologic pathology.
GYN, 4%
Assist with screening of Non-Gyn cases and Thin Prep and Sure Path Gyn cases.
Frozen Sections, 3%
Gross Technician Duties: Accessioning Frozen Sections Staining Slides and mixing chemicals

Common skills that a pathologist uses to do their job include "patients," "patient care," and "diagnosis." You can find details on the most important pathologist responsibilities below.

Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a pathologist to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications." Additionally, a pathologist resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "help interns learn laboratory techniques and become oriented to the laboratory. "

Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling pathologist duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "good recordkeeping and other organizational skills are critical in both medical and business settings." According to a pathologist resume, here's how pathologists can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "led organizational efforts to achieve iso 9001 certification of laboratory services. "

Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of pathologists is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday pathologist duties, as "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "work as atransdisciplinary team with occupational and physical therapists and develop care plans to achieve functional and cognitive recovery of patients. "

Problem-solving skills. pathologist responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "physicians and surgeons need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments." This resume example shows what pathologists do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "execute adult and pediatric autopsies to conclude unresolved medical issues. "

Communication skills. Another common skill required for pathologist responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of pathologists all the time, as "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." An excerpt from a real pathologist resume shows how this skill is central to what a pathologist does: "educated patients and their families on communication strategies and compensatory swallowing techniques. "

All pathologist skills

The three companies that hire the most pathologists are:

Quest Diagnostics12 pathologists jobs
HealthTrust11 pathologists jobs
Sonic Healthcare USA9 pathologists jobs

Choose from 10+ customizable pathologist resume templates

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Compare different pathologists

Pathologist vs. Associate professor of pathology

An Associate Professor of Pathology specializes in teaching pathology courses to undergraduate and graduate students at universities or colleges. Their job entails developing curricula and course materials, administering examinations and quizzes, organizing laboratory activities and demonstrations, facilitating discussions, and keeping an eye on their academic progress. They may also participate in various research programs, pathology projects, and committee works. Moreover, they organize seminars for the students and invite experts as guests, helping to broaden the students' knowledge and insights.

We looked at the average pathologist salary and compared it with the wages of an associate professor of pathology. Generally speaking, associate professors of pathology are paid $36,457 higher than pathologists per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both pathologist and associate professor of pathology positions are skilled in fda, glp, and blood bank.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between pathologists and associate professor of pathology. For instance, pathologist responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "patient care," "anatomic pathology," and "diagnosis." Whereas a associate professor of pathology is skilled in "research projects," "immunology," "resident training," and "american association." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Associate professors of pathology tend to reach lower levels of education than pathologists. In fact, associate professors of pathology are 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Learn more about pathologists vs associate professors of pathology.

Pathologist vs. Pathology laboratory director

A career as a pathology laboratory director brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a pathologist. In fact, pathology laboratory directors salary is $25,258 higher than the salary of pathologists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Pathologists and pathology laboratory directors both require similar skills like "patient care," "anatomic pathology," and "surgical pathology" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that pathologist responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "diagnosis," "gi," and "gyn." But a pathology laboratory director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "regulatory agencies," "infection control," "lis," and "speech language pathology."

In general, pathology laboratory directors achieve higher levels of education than pathologists. They're 20.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pathologist vs. Molecular genetic pathologist

On average, molecular genetic pathologists earn higher salaries than pathologists, with a $1,791 difference per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from pathologist resumes include skills like "patients," "patient care," "anatomic pathology," and "diagnosis," whereas a molecular genetic pathologist is more likely to list skills in "molecular genetics," "immunology," "technical audience," and "technical platform. "

Molecular genetic pathologists typically earn lower educational levels compared to pathologists. Specifically, they're 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pathologist vs. Attending pathologist

Attending pathologists typically earn lower pay than pathologists. On average, attending pathologists earn a $7,703 lower salary per year.According to resumes from pathologists and attending pathologists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "patient care," "frozen sections," and "surgical pathology. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A pathologist uses "patients," "anatomic pathology," "diagnosis," and "gi." Attending pathologists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "speech language pathology," "laboratory equipment," "speech patterns," and "safety procedures. "In general, attending pathologists hold lower degree levels compared to pathologists. Attending pathologists are 11.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 16.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

What a pathologist does FAQs

What do pathologists do on a daily basis?

What degree do you need to be a pathologist?

What does a pathologist study?

Where do pathologists work?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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