Identifies the cause and processes of disease and illness by examining changes in body tissue and in blood and other body fluids, and conducts tests on samples of tissues, blood and body secretions. Registration or licensing is required.
Previously referred to in ASCO as:
2312-23 Medical Practitioner - Pathologist
在新西兰医学委员会有相关的：临时职业的或职业的执业范围内的注册。（此领域绝对紧缺技能资质：医学和外科双学士。）
NZ registration within a relevant provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand.(Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: a
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
Pathologists identify and diagnose the presence of diseases in their various
stages and possible sources of infection in body tissues, fluids, secretions
and other scientific specimens.
They often work with a wide range of health professionals in caring for
patients. Working conditions are usually comfortable, although they may
sometimes deal with unpleasant conditions due to a patient’s infection or
illness. Adopting strict hygiene practices is important. During training,
pathologists may have to work long, demanding and irregular hours. This may
include working on weekends and at night or being on call 24 hours a day.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Pathologist earn an average of $3106 per week. The [average
annual salary for this job is $161512 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
self-confidence
able to relate to people from different cultural backgrounds
able to make clear and precise observations
good problem-solving skills
good verbal and written communication skills
able to exercise high ethical standards
well organised and able to prioritise tasks
a high degree of motivation and self-discipline.
This job also involves:
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Professional Jobs
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree,
or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study,
such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Biology
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Chemistry
School subjects that include some aspects of CHEMISTRY provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a chemistry-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Pathologist
Pathologists may perform the following tasks:
study the nature, cause, development and clinical management of diseases in people, as well as the structural and functional changes caused by them
prepare, or supervise the preparation of, tissue sections from surgical and diagnostic cases and autopsies
examine bodily fluids and tissues for the presence and measurement of chemical substances, microbiological organisms (such as HIV and hepatitis C), and chemical and other biological responses to disease processes
examine tissues using scientific techniques and equipment to determine the nature, cause and progression of disease
perform autopsies to determine causes of death, the nature and extent of disease and injury, and the effect of treatment
supervise and coordinate the work of technical officers and technicians
write reports of findings for use by other medical practitioners and coroners
direct the activities of pathology departments in hospitals, private clinics or laboratories, or other locations.
Specialisations
Pathologists may specialise in the areas of anatomical or chemical pathology,
genetics, haematology, immunology or microbiology. They may also train in
general pathology, providing a combination of disciplines. For dentists, there
is a specialisation in oral pathology.