Physicians, Pathologists

Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

Also Known As:

Anatomic Pathologist Cytopathologist Dermatopathologist Forensic Pathologist Hematopathologist Neuropathologist Oral Pathologist Pathologist Surgical Pathologist

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Physicians, Pathologists in United States

Job Outlook Bright

New job opportunities are very likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

13,100

4% Change From 2024

Explore Anesthesiologists video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Conduct genetic analyses of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or chromosomes to diagnose small biopsies and cell samples.
Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness.
Conduct research and present scientific findings.
Manage medical laboratories.
Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists.
Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
Diagnose infections, such as Hepatitis B and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), by conducting tests to detect the antibodies that patients' immune systems make to fight such infections.
Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions, such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
Diagnose infections, such as Hepatitis B and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), by conducting tests to detect the antibodies that patients' immune systems make to fight such infections.
Obtain specimens by performing procedures, such as biopsies or fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of superficial nodules.
Conduct research and present scientific findings.
Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.
Develop or adopt new tests or instruments to improve diagnosis of diseases.
Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.