CaliforniaColleges

Savedfor:AndrewDemyan

CareerProfile

Pathologist
WhatTheyDo
JusttheFacts

Diagnosesthepresenceandstageofdiseasesusinglaboratorytechniquesandpatient
specimens.Studiesthenature,cause,anddevelopmentofdiseases.Mayalsoperform
autopsies.
ThiscareerispartoftheHealthScienceclusterTherapeuticServicespathway.

Apersoninthiscareer:
Examinesmicroscopicsamplestoidentifydiseasesorotherabnormalities.
Diagnosesdiseasesorstudiesmedicalconditionsusingtechniquessuchasgrosspathology,
histology,cytology,cytopathology,clinicalchemistry,immunology,flowcytometry,and
molecularbiology.
Writespathologyreportssummarizinganalyses,results,andconclusions.
Identifiestheetiology,pathogenesis,morphologicalchange,andclinicalsignificanceof
diseases.
Analyzesandinterpretsresultsfromtestssuchasmicrobialorparasitetests,urineanalyses,
hormonalassays,fineneedleaspirations(FNAs),andpolymerasechainreactions(PCRs).
Communicatespathologicfindingstosurgeonsorotherphysicians.
Readscurrentliterature,talkswithcolleagues,orparticipatesinprofessionalorganizationsor
conferencestokeepabreastofdevelopmentsinpathology.
Consultswithphysiciansaboutorderingandinterpretingtestsorprovidingtreatments.
Plansandsupervisestheworkofthepathologystaff,residentsorvisitingpathologists.
Reviewscasesbyanalyzingautopsies,laboratoryfindings,orcaseinvestigationreports.

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WorkingConditionsandPhysicalDemands
Peoplewhodothisjobreportthat:
Youwouldsitmostofthetime.There'ssomewalkingandstanding.Youmayhavetoliftandcarrythingslikebooks,papersor
toolsweighing10lbs.orless.
Workinthisoccupationinvolvesuseofprotectiveitemssuchassafetyshoes,glasses,gloves,hearingprotection,ahardhat,
orpersonalflotationdevices
Exposedtodiseaseandinfectionsmorethanonceamonththroughworksuchaspatientcare,laboratorywork,andsanitation
control
Workinthisoccupationrequiresbeinginsidemostofthetime
Workinthisoccupationinvolvessittingmorethanone-thirdofthetime
Workinginthiscareerinvolves(physicalactivities):
Identifyingcolorandseeingdifferencesincolor,includingshadesandbrightness
Seeingclearlyupclose
Speakingclearlyenoughtobeabletobeunderstoodbyothers

WorkHoursandTravel
Irregularhours
Overtimework
Weekendwork

SpecialtyandSimilarCareers

Careersthataremoredetailedorclosetothiscareer:
Histopathologist--Studieshumanoranimaltissuetoprovidedatatodelineatecauseandprogressofdiseasethatimpairs
bodyfunction.
Immunopathologist--Studiesroleoftheimmunesystemindiseaseprocesses,lookingathowtheimmunesystemresponds
todiseaseandwherethisresponsecangowrong.
VeterinaryPathologist--Examinesanimaltissueandfluidsamplestodiagnosediseases.
ClinicalPathologist--

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