How to Become a Pathologist

- Salary, Qualification, Skills, Role and Responsibilities

Who is a Pathologist?

You have to be a good observer to be a good pathologist ~ Bill Bass

In a career as Pathologist, a physician is responsible for studying the cause, nature and effects of diseases. We have all had our share of diseases and illnesses but have you ever thought about the research that goes behind finding the cure of a disease? Or who researches the origin, cause and effect of a sickness? If topics like these fascinate you then pathologist careers are possible career options for you. Individuals who opt for a career as pathologists are medical professionals who are responsible for conducting several tests and examinations on a day-to-day basis.

A career in pathology in India is a broad field and a pathologist mainly concentrates on changes in cells, tissues and organs. Students need to study Biology courses in their 10+2. Here we will discuss how to become a pathologist in India, careers in pathology, pathology employment, a career in pathology in India, pathologist education, pathology course, how to become pathologist in India or how to become a pathologist after 12th.

Pathologist in a Nutshell

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Quick Facts for Pathologist

Average Salary in India
₹80500
Suitable for
Male, Female

Individuals can take up a career as pathologists, it is not gender-specific. Males, women, and others can choose a career as pathologists. In order to become a pathologist, an individual from any section or gender can do so. It does not matter which gender he or she belongs to when it comes to taking up a career in the field of medicine. Being a pathologist in India can be of several advantages due to the vast career opportunities available in this field where an individual’s gender is insignificant.
Any special needs
Yes

Everyone, including those with physical disabilities, is appropriate for individuals who opt for a career as a pathologist. The career as a pathologist is well suited to everyone, even those with special needs. The career of a pathologist is about researching and analysing various diseases and their nature. Pathology is a branch of medicine that involves laboratory examination of several organisms and tissues involved in a disease.
It requires a pathologist to be physically fit in order to carry out his work efficiently and effectively. Therefore, ideally one should be physically fit in order to become a pathologist. But, it is nowhere mentioned that it is compulsory to be physically fit in order to be a pathologist. Therefore, if the individual’s disability does not cause any negative effect on the work, he or she can become a pathologist.

Table of Contents for Pathologist

What is the role of Pathologist?

Types of a Pathologist

What is the workplace/work environment of Pathologist like?

How to become a Pathologist?

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Pathologist?

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Pathologist?

Career path progression for Pathologist

Pathologist Jobs and Salaries

What is the job outlook for Pathologist?

Frequently Asked Questions for Pathologist

What is the role of Pathologist?

Pathology careers have become one of the most popular fields in the healthcare industry with a wide range of occupations. Pathology work will require an individual to conduct research to investigate the causes and effects of various diseases and ailments in patients. The need for skilled and trained individuals who opt for a career as pathologists, nationally and internationally has increased due to the huge need for such staff in various fields.

With the inevitable increase in the world's population, the need for knowledgeable physicians will continue to increase, especially with new and dangerous diseases spreading around the world, and pathologists will be able to find beneficial career options throughout their lives. Here we will discuss how to become a pathologist, careers in pathology, pathology employment, jobs in pathology, pathology classes, pathology course and pathologist training.

Testing

Individuals who opt for a career as pathologists are responsible for conducting several tests on a daily basis. These tests are conducted mainly for diagnosis purposes. Tests could be blood tests, smear tests as well as tissue removal tests. These tests help a doctor to understand the cause or presence of any disease, virus or infection and he could treat the patient accordingly. Once the test results are filed he or she explains the patient about the results and suggests further steps accordingly.

Treatment

Individuals who opt for a career as a pathologist provide a solution or prescribe a medicine depending on the patient’s disease. Once the tests are done and the reports are out a pathologist could either refer the patient to any specialised doctor or if it is a minor ailment or disease he or she could prescribe the medicine directly. Not only that in cases of blood transfusion, it is a pathologist who is responsible to make sure that the blood is safe enough to be transferred into the patient’s body.

Types of a Pathologist

Below we have mentioned some of the types of Pathologist and Pathologist career options.

Clinical Pathologist: A clinical pathologist works in a hospital’s lab as well as in the pathology groups to practice as a consultant physician. It is the first step for a fresher in this field to develop and apply knowledge of tissue and laboratory analyses. It would enable him or her to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients in the future.

Anatomic Pathologist: Anatomic pathology is the branch of medicine that studies the effect of diseases focusing on the structure of body organs. An anatomic pathologist does so by focusing on the disease both as a whole (grossly) and microscopically. The primary role of an anatomic pathologist is to identify abnormalities that can help to diagnose disease and manage treatment. It requires an individual to have good observation skills.

Forensic Pathologist: Forensic pathology is a branch of pathology that mainly focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post-mortem is performed by a medical examiner, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions. One needs to have an experience of at least four to five years in anatomic pathology or clinical pathology to become a forensic pathologist.

Medical Lab Technician: Individuals who opt for a career as medical lab technicians offer an individual the opportunity to have a significant impact on patient care, without actually interacting with patients. If one wants to make it to the field of medicine then being a doctor is not the only option.

Laboratory Technician: Individuals who opt for a career as laboratory technicians collect and process specimens, including skin and bodily fluid samples, from patients in a hospital or private medical diagnostic laboratory. Blood work technicians work under a laboratory technologist's supervision using procedures that help medical professionals diagnose diseases, plan treatments, and ascertain their effectiveness.

What is the workplace/work environment of Pathologist like?

Individuals who opt for a career as a pathologist either work in a hospital or a research firm. In both the cases he or she works in a closed and clean environment. Being part of the medical field one has to be wearing clinical clothes as well in order to protect himself from any kind of infections.

Does Pathologist require travelling?

Likely

Individuals who opt for a career as pathologists do not require to travel. This is the case at least in the individual’s initial days. Once an individual has gained experience and made a good name in the market he or she may have to travel to different places in order to attend conferences or give a guest lecture. But, it is not a full-time travel based job.

Employment Shifts

Full Time

The employment shift of a pathologist is full-time in nature. The duration is generally ranging between 45-55 hours a week. It often stretches depending on the workload on the individual. Individuals who opt for a career as a pathologist could also practice on his or her own by setting up one’s own clinic or research firm. In that case the working hours will entirely depend on his or her preference and the client’s needs.

Employment Nature

Permanent

The nature of employment of a pathologist is permanent in nature. Any hospital or even a research based firm can hire him or her on a full-time basis. Individuals who opt for a career as pathologists can also work for himself or herself by setting one’s own clinic.

Work Place

Laboratory, clinical lab, clinic

The nature of the employment of a career in pathology in India is permanent. Pathologist jobs in government/government organisations or private institutions but the job is mainly permanent in nature.

Presence in Geographical Area

Rural, Semi-urban, Urban

Individuals who opt for a career as Pathologists mostly function in an urban or semi-urban as well as rural location. In rural areas, a pathologist is found mostly in government clinics.

Time Pressure

Likely

A pathologist’s job is time-bound as it is an essential service. Having said that, one cannot hurry in such professions either as it may cost a patient’s life. Therefore, individuals who opt for a career as pathologists are required to pay adequate attention to his or her patients.

Overtime Details

Individuals who opt for a career as Pathologists may have to work overtime in order to check his or her patients.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 54 Hours

Individuals who opt for a career as pathologists work somewhere between nine to twelve hours a day. But, it may extend depending on the number of patients one has to attend.

How to become a Pathologist?

Steps to become a Pathologist

If you are interested in the medical field and passionate about studying diseases, analysing their causes, and performing all types of blood tests, then a career as a pathologist is a suitable career option for you. If you are interested in how to become a pathologist, we have listed the detailed procedure below.

Identify the Skills
Courses to Pursue
Pursue Certification Courses
Pursue the Internship Course
Apply for a Licence
Build a Resume
Prepare for the Interview
Begin your Career

01 Step

Identify the Skills

To become a pathologist, you must possess certain skills in the medical field, such as attention to detail, operational analysis, good observation skills, and the ability to work for a long time. A pathologist must have both soft and hard skills. Below, we have mentioned some of the skills required for pathologists in India.

Some of the soft skills required to become a pathologist are problem-solving, communication, and excellent attention to detail. Below, we have mentioned a list of soft skills.

Organisational skills
Data analysis
Data Collection
Interpersonal skills
Good observing skills
Analytical thinking skills
Critical thinking skills

A pathologist requires both soft and hard skills to work in an organisation. Hard skills come under technical knowledge or training that you gain through experience and education, such as knowledge of science, medicine, technical knowledge, clinical research, and biology. Some of the hard skills required for pathologists are listed below.

Operational analysis
Knowledge of Medicine
Knowledge of Biology
Knowledge of Microbiology
Technical knowledge
Clinical research
Knowledge of Testing

02 Step

Courses to Pursue

To pursue a career as a pathologist, an MBBS degree is required. To enrol for a bachelor’s degree, you must have completed 10+2 in the Science stream with a major discipline such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Organic Chemistry with a minimum aggregate of 60 per cent from a recognised board in India.

To pursue a bachelor's degree (MBBS), you are required to appear for an entrance examination such as the NEET conducted by NTA. After completing the MBBS degree, you can pursue a diploma or MD to enhance your career. Below, we have provided a list of entrance examinations, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral courses, and diploma courses.

Entrance Examinations

Bachelor’s Degree Programme

B.Sc. in Pathology	Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, M.B.B.S
Bachelor of Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology	B.S.c. in Biology
B.Sc. in Clinical Pathology	B.Sc. in Microbiology

Master’s Degree Programme

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Pathology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in Pathology
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Doctoral Courses

Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology
Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Pathology and Audiology

Diploma Courses

Diploma in Pathology
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology

03 Step

Pursue Certification Courses

To become a pathologist, you can also pursue a certification course after completing your formal education to gain more knowledge and experience about a specific course or topic. Below, we have listed the certification courses for pathologists in India.

Pathology
PDCC (Blood Component Therapy and Apheresis)
Post MD Certificate course in Cytopathology

04 Step

Pursue the Internship Course

After completing your MBBS degree, you can apply for an internship at a hospital or medical institution as a resident in any of the domains, such as anatomic and clinical pathology. Pursuing an internship is a good career opportunity to learn practical skills and knowledge. You can work in a clinic or hospital, community, university, or government hospitals, as well as in independent laboratories, private offices, and other medical facilities under the supervision of a senior.

This internship will help you gain the experience, knowledge, and confidence to work in the healthcare sector. You can learn about investigative and management techniques, as well as how to care for patients and conduct pathological research, such as advanced medicine, devising new treatments to fight diseases, infections, and viruses, and developing vaccines.

05 Step

Apply for a Licence

After the completion of formal education and an internship, it is mandatory to have a licence to practice a career as a pathologist. To get a pathologist license, a candidate should apply for a medical licence by registering on the official website of the Indian Medical Register.

06 Step

Build a Resume

Once you have applied for the licence, the next step is to build a resume. The resume must be very clear, concise, and informative. It must include detailed information such as educational background, skills, internships, and experience.

07 Step

Prepare for the Interview

After building the resume, the next step is to apply for the job position. Search for a job on different job portals that recruit pathologists and upload your resume, or search for the job directly by visiting the hospitals or organisations. Before the interview process, check for the details about the organisation and prepare well for the interview.

08 Step

Begin your Career

After applying for the job, you need to attend an interview. After clearing the interview process, you will receive offer letters, you can select one of the best offers and start your career.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Pathologist?

Communication skills
Patience
Attention to detail
Science skills

You must be wondering how to become pathologist in India or how to become a pathologist after 12th? In this section, we will be answering the most commonly asked question that how to become a pathologist after 12th. In order to make a career as a pathologist one must possess some skills. Some skills required by a pathologist are mentioned below:

Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most necessary skills required by a pathologist in order to perform his or her job duties. The laboratory team working under a pathologist should be able to understand the work that is expected of them. Not only that, but seamless communication also helps in avoiding any sort of miscommunication between the pathologist and the patient. Being able to communicate effectively becomes important in a high-stake team environment in pathologist careers.

Attention to detail: A pathologist is required to make important decisions while treating a patient’s ailment or researching for a vaccine. Hence, he or she is required to pay meticulous attention to detail to produce highly accurate work even when under pressure. Paying attention to small details is essential during the operation in pathologist careers. It is one of the most important skill sets required by an individual to become a pathologist.

Patience: A pathologist faces critical situations where he or she is required to stay calm and make decisions that might be an important factor in a patient’s life. A pathologist is one of the most essential members when it comes to the treatment of the disease as he or she is responsible for a proper diagnosis. The work he or she does helps in keeping critically ill and medically unstable people alive. Situations like these required him or her to stay calm and level-headed.

Science skills: Nothing can be achieved without a deep understanding and interest in the subject. In order to become a pathologist along with excelling in the career, it is important for the candidate to have a deep interest in science and technology. A good academic background is a non-negotiable requirement in pathologist careers that can be achieved only through knowledge and a deep interest in science and technology.

Popular Online Medicine Courses and Certifications

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Pathologist?

We have mentioned below certification courses that may help you to upgrade your skills and knowledge for a career as pathologist.

Pathology	The Chemistry of Life
Principles of Synthetic Biology	Essential Human Biology: Cells and Tissues
Viruses & How to Beat Them: Cells, Immunity, Vaccines	DNA: Biology’s Genetic Code

Internship Availability

Yes

Internships are considered the best possible way for gaining experience for jobs in pathology. Since the field of medicine is very critical as it deals with human lives one has to go through a compulsory internship before he or she can practice professionally as a pathologist. An internship is often referred to as a residency. Internships provide aspiring candidates with the opportunity in pathologist careers to apply the theoretical knowledge he or she gained during their time in college, to bring them to practical use.

Not only that, internships also enable the candidate to make connections in the field for future use. If he or she performs well during the internship several companies or organisations could also hire the candidate on a full-time basis. The candidate can get an internship either through his or her college, an online medium or he or she could also contact any hospital of choice directly. The internship period for a pathologist is between one to two years.

Career Path Progression for Pathologist

Junior Pathologist: A Junior Pathologist is a professional who is responsible for managing the hospital's labs and clinical facilities and performing laboratory tests and interpreting the results. A Junior Pathologist analyses the blood chemistry and cells and samples of tissues.

Senior Pathologist: A Senior Pathologist is an experienced professional who analyses and tests various samples and helps medical practitioners develop treatment plans. A Senior Pathologist write reports and conducts research.

Pathologist Jobs and Salaries

Junior Pathologist

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 63000

Job Description

The Junior Pathologist job description includes identifying the disease by examining the bodies through autopsy and analysing the samples and writing the pathology reports. A Junior Pathologist also suggests treatment options by researching and based on tests.

Salary Description

The estimated Junior Pathologist salary in India ranges from Rs 0.6 Lakhs to Rs 15.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 8.8 Lakhs per annum. The Junior Pathologist salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors.

Salary Source: AmbitionBox

Read Full Details

Senior Pathologist

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 98000

Job Description

Senior Pathologist job description includes supervising and managing technicians and other assistants. A Senior Pathologist stays up to date with the latest trends and meets with other healthcare staff to discuss patient treatment plans.

Salary Description

The estimated Senior Pathologist salary in India ranges from Rs 3.6 Lakhs to Rs 22.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 15.6 Lakhs per annum. Senior Pathologist salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors.

Salary Source: AmbitionBox

Read Full Details

What is the job outlook for Pathologist?

A candidate who wishes to become a pathologist experiences quite a significant job growth. As and when the individual gains knowledge and experience he or she steps up the ladder of designation in the field of pathology. Since the career in pathology is vast and it continues to grow as science and technology evolve, there are plenty of job growth opportunities. Depending on the individual’s skills and credibility he or she could also begin practicing on his or her own. Currently, with the pandemic situation that is going on at a global level, several job opportunities are going to open for the people involved in the medical field.

It is a field that requires a lot of hard work and years of perseverance but once a candidate has completed the education there will be several job growth opportunities. Currently, the job market scenario for a career in pathology in India is extremely bright. There are several job openings in both public as well as private sectors. This is mainly because of the evolution of science and technology. Another reason is the outbreak of Covid-19 which is expected to increase job opportunities in future for health workers. The job growth for a pathologist is expected to grow by 7.2 per cent by the end of 2026. It is higher than the average of most medical specialisation fields.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Pathologist

Que. What is a pathologist’s salary?

Ans.

For an entry-level post of a pathologist with a specialisation, the average total compensation offered is somewhere around Rs. 30,000 per month. After gaining the intermediate experience in the industry, he or she earns a monthly package of Rs. 2 lakh.

Que. Is a pathologist A doctor?

Ans.

A pathologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing diseases by examining tissue samples and conducting research work based on nature and effects of a disease.

Que. What are the types of pathology?

Ans.

Branches of pathology include:

Anatomic pathology
Cytopathology
Forensic pathology
Molecular pathology

Que. What tests are done in pathology?

Ans.

Pathology tests cover blood tests, and tests on urine, stools and bodily tissues. A pathologist interprets the results of blood and pathology tests and looks for abnormalities that may point to disease, such as cancer and other chronic illnesses, or health risks, such as pre-diabetes.

Que. What is the role of Perfusionist?

Ans.

A career as perfusionist comes with a variety of responsibilities such as operating the heart-lung machine, which is an artificial blood pump that launches oxygenated blood to the patient’s tissues while the surgeon operates on the heart. Perfusionists are responsible for managing the physiological and metabolic demands of the patient while the cardiac surgeon operates on the heart.

Que. How long does it take to become a pathology?

Ans.

To Become a pathology, you will require at least 11 years of education as you will be pursuing your 5.5 years of degree and for a master's degree it will take 2 years and you will also need to have work experience.

Que. Can I do MD pathology without MBBS?

Ans.

To pursue MD pathology, you need to earn an MBBS and you are also required to pursue an internship to get eligible for an MD course.

Que. Do pathologists make good money?

Ans.

The estimated Junior Pathologist salary in India ranges from Rs 0.6 Lakhs to Rs 15.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 8.8 Lakhs per annum.

Did you know?

Fact 1

German pathologist Rudolf Virchow is regarded as the father of pathology

Fact 2

Around 95% of clinical pathways rely on patients having access to pathology services

Fact 3

500 million biochemistry and 130 million haematology tests are carried out per year

Fact 4

300,000 tests are performed every working day

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How to Become a Pathologist

Who is a Pathologist?

Pathologist in a Nutshell

Quick Facts for Pathologist

Table of Contents for Pathologist

What is the role of Pathologist?

Testing

Treatment

Types of a Pathologist

What is the workplace/work environment of Pathologist like?

Does Pathologist require travelling?

Likely

Employment Shifts

Full Time

Employment Nature

Permanent

Work Place

Laboratory, clinical lab, clinic

Presence in Geographical Area

Rural, Semi-urban, Urban

Time Pressure

Likely

Overtime Details

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 54 Hours

How to become a Pathologist?

Steps to become a Pathologist

Identify the Skills

Courses to Pursue

Pursue Certification Courses

Pursue the Internship Course

Apply for a Licence

Build a Resume

Prepare for the Interview

Begin your Career

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Pathologist?

Popular Online Medicine Courses and Certifications

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Pathologist?

Internship Availability

Career Path Progression for Pathologist

Pathologist Jobs and Salaries

Junior Pathologist

Job Description

Salary Description

Senior Pathologist

Job Description

Salary Description

What is the job outlook for Pathologist?

Student Also Liked:

Frequently Asked Questions for Pathologist

Que. What is a pathologist’s salary?

Que. Is a pathologist A doctor?

Que. What are the types of pathology?

Que. What tests are done in pathology?

Que. What is the role of Perfusionist?

Que. How long does it take to become a pathology?

Que. Can I do MD pathology without MBBS?

Que. Do pathologists make good money?

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