Medical pathologists are physicians specifically trained to identify the cause and effect of different diseases or injuries. Because of the career’s nature, most of these professionals work long and irregular hours.
What is This Career Like?
Pathologists are divided between anatomical, medical and speech pathologists. Anatomical pathologists perform visual analyses of our bodies, while medical pathologists diagnose disease mainly through lab analyses of body fluids like blood and urine.
On the other hand, a speech pathologist focuses on treatment and diagnosis of speech, language, social communication, and the like.
What Skills Do You Need?
Aspiring pathologists need to have good communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. They also need to possess leadership skills, be detail-oriented, and be agile enough to work with precise tools.
Being patient is also a big plus in the field. Of course, all of this is on top of the years of education you also need to acquire.
Steps to Become a Pathologist
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
While there’s no specific degree required, concentrating in advanced biological sciences will help you get into medical school more accessible. Of course, you can also opt for pre-med and take prerequisites in both science and math. Make sure your grades are high as well.
Step 2: Take the Medical College Admissions Test or MCAT
To enter medical school, candidates then need to take the MCAT and pass. As a standardized, multiple-choice exam that lasts for 7.5 hours, the MCAT is divided into four sections. You are free to retake the test anytime, and there is an abundance of study materials available on the MCAT website.
Step 3: Earn a Medical Degree
To become a pathologist, you need to finish a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. Your first couple of years will focus on primary pathology, biology, anatomy, and other life sciences. During your later years, you will work with actual medical professionals like doctors to advance your skills. This is also where you can take pathology as an elective to get acquainted with the work.
Step 4: Earn Your License
After graduation, you can then apply for your medical license and board certification.
Step 5: Complete a Pathology Residency Program
This is where you will work anywhere between three to eight years in either a clinic or hospital. Since you will be working with healthcare professionals, you will be able to improve your skills. You can also get a stipend during your residence, and it grows every year.
Step 6: Finish a Fellowship Program
If you want to specialize in a specific area like pediatric pathology or dermatopathology, you need to finish a fellowship. While they only last two years, these programs provide more in-depth and focused training in your chosen area.
Step 7: Earn Certification
After training, you can then be certified via the American Board of Pathology. You need to first finish all required specialty training hours in addition to your medical degree. Then, you can take either the Clinical Pathology Examination or Anatomic Pathology Examination to gain your certification.
Step 8: Continue Education to Maintain Your Certification
Once you’re a certified pathologist, you need to complete a Maintenance of Certification Program within ten years. It would help if you also continued earning education credits in addition to your practice.
Conclusion
While the road to becoming a pathologist is long, becoming a certified professional is very rewarding. Pathology is also generally less stressful than other medical professions, letting you achieve a better work-life balance.
