Pathology is a fulfilling and intellectually stimulating profession. It could be an ideal field of medicine to pursue if you have a passion for science and a desire to help people better understand disease processes. A pathologist plays an important role in diagnosing different diseases, with over 70 per cent of all medical diagnoses requiring a pathology test. Pathologists are essential to other healthcare professionals such as general practitioners, oncologists, dermatologists and neurologists to help successfully diagnose and treat patients.
In this article, you'll learn how to become a pathologist, including the necessary steps and pathways of study. You'll also discover insights into the salary prospects of pathologists and learn more about the various pathology disciplines in which to specialise.
The rising demand for skilled pathologists
The median age of pathologists is 43, with a further 12.9 per cent of pathologists aged 65 and older. This means over the next decade, a significant proportion of the workforce will look to wind down their workload or retire, leaving an evident shortage of skilled pathologists in this sector.
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) is the peak body governing pathologists in Australia and New Zealand. They identified the immediate need to increase trained pathologists and outlined a comprehensive strategic plan to manage the Australian pathologist workforce supply and demand by 2030.
According to these findings, it's clear that there is an imminent need for dedicated professionals in the field of pathology. To become a pathologist, you need a level of dedication and passion for medical science and an investigative mind that seeks answers to questions related to human disease.
Do you have what it takes to contribute to this compelling field of medicine?
What is a pathologist?
A pathologist is a medical professional who studies diseases by examining tissues, cells and bodily fluids. By examining these samples, a pathologist can characterise certain medical conditions, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and genetic conditions. A pathologist’s expertise is crucial to ensure the accurate and effective diagnosis of conditions.
Pathologists use different medical and imaging techniques, such as light microscopy, histochemistry and molecular biology to assist doctors in the diagnosis of illness and understand their root causes. Pathologists commonly work alongside general practitioners, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, paediatricians and other specialists to help optimise patient outcomes. Depending on the unique discipline, pathologists typically work in laboratories, hospitals, research centres and universities. A pathologist's work may also extend into public health initiatives and be integral to contemporary medical research.
What does a pathologist do?
Pathologists perform a range of tasks that vary depending on their specialisation and work setting.
Here's an overview of the typical roles and responsibilities of a pathologist:
- Examining tissue samples: Pathologists analyse tissue and fluid samples using different tools and technology to identify abnormalities. They use their expertise in medicine to determine potential causes and help provide information that supports doctors in their diagnosis.
- Interpreting laboratory tests: Pathologists work to analyse laboratory tests, including blood tests and tissue tests, biopsies, urine tests and genetic tests to help diagnose diseases.
- Collaborating with healthcare professionals: Pathologists work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, specialists and medical support staff, to ensure accurate diagnoses of diseases and optimal patient care.
- Managing laboratory operations: Senior pathologists may be responsible for managing laboratory operations, including staff hiring and training, developing workplace policies and procedures, campaigning for budgeting allocations in research settings and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Conducting autopsies: A forensic pathologist may perform autopsies to determine a patient's cause of death, working with criminal investigators and contributing to medical research where needed.
- Working in academia: Pathologists may also hold teaching positions at universities and hospitals. They may also be directly involved in clinical trials, medical conferences and other educational endeavours.
- Contributing to public health initiatives: Pathologists can play a vital role in public health by identifying disease outbreaks, monitoring disease trends and working with other health professionals and policymakers to create strategies for prevention and control.
Different disciplines in pathology
Pathologists can specialise in different fields of pathology, enabling them to concentrate on specific diseases or patient demographics. Here are the main disciplines that pathologists can specialise in:
- Anatomical pathology
- Chemical pathology
- Clinical pathology
- Forensic pathology
- General pathology
- Genetic pathology
- Haematological pathology
- Immunopathology
- Microbiological pathology
Anatomical pathology
Anatomical pathology involves tissue sampling, usually taken as a biopsy from a patient’s skin, bone, muscle or other organic materials. A pathologist in this specialisation typically works in clinical laboratories, examining cell cultures and playing a crucial role in diagnosing conditions like cancer.
Chemical pathology
Chemical pathology is also called biochemical pathology and involves the assessment of serum biomarkers, including enzymes, hormones, proteins, vitamins, electrolytes and other biological metabolites in body fluids. They may also detect the presence of drugs, chemicals or poisons in these fluids. This subset of pathology is a valuable diagnostic tool as it provides a snapshot of the function of body cells, organs and systems.
Clinical pathology
Clinical pathologists are trained in chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology and blood banking. They work in laboratories, primarily in hospitals and medical centres. These pathologists can perform and interpret blood tests and other pathological tests, giving feedback and recommendations to the referring doctor. The findings help the doctor devise an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.
Forensic pathology
A forensic pathologist is responsible for performing autopsies and post-mortem examinations to determine the cause of death in cases of medico-legal investigations. Forensic pathologists may work for government agencies, coroners, support law enforcement or work for private organisations. Forensic pathologists work with individual cases as well as in natural disasters and may liaise with families to help them understand the cause of death of their family members.
General pathology
A general pathologist is most similar to a clinical pathologist in that they perform anatomical pathology as part of their role. General pathologists have a sound understanding of disease pathophysiology at a less specialised level and often work within multidisciplinary teams. They help interpret pathology results and provide advice to referring clinicians on further testing where needed. General pathologists are usually responsible for managing laboratories and overseeing daily workplace operations.
Genetic pathology
Genetic pathology involves characterising DNA, chromosomes and other biochemical markers in blood samples to diagnose genetic diseases. A genetic pathologist plays an important role in assessing the prevalence or likelihood of developing conditions such as Down's Syndrome, breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease.
Haematological pathology
Haematological pathology is a specialisation that deals with diseases affecting the blood and bone marrow. Pathologists in this field examine blood samples, analyse proteins and other blood components as well as bone marrow biopsies to detect diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Immunopathology
Immunopathology is the study of diseases caused by immune system disorders, including autoimmune diseases, allergies and food sensitivities. Immunopathologists investigate how the immune system may produce abnormal responses, whether underactive or overactive, which could lead to disease onset. This field of pathology is vital for understanding conditions such as diabetes, thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and food allergies, providing insights that can improve patient outcomes through targeted treatments.
Microbiological pathology
Microbiology is a field of science that covers bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. A microbiological pathologist is involved with infection control of disease outbreaks of these microorganisms and other public health concerns such as salmonella poisoning or antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
What is a typical pathologist's salary in Australia?
A pathologist's salary in Australia will ultimately vary depending on experience level and medical discipline.
The average salary for Australian pathologists is between $210,000 and $220,000 annually.
5 steps to becoming a pathologist
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Consider if this is the right career path for you
A career in pathology can be challenging yet deeply fulfilling. If you pursue pathology, you'll provide a vitally important service to the medical profession and positively impact patients' lives.
Before you consider enrolling in a relevant pathology course, it helps to reflect on whether this career path is right for you. In Australia, to become a pathologist, you must first be a qualified medical doctor. The entire process takes about 13 years of study. Becoming a pathologist requires a significant commitment to study, a passion for problem-solving, dedication to health science and the ability to work under pressure.
To be successful as a pathologist, you'll need to be detail-oriented and have a curious, investigative mind. You'll be motivated to find answers to problems by having an analytical and methodical approach. If you are interested in science, fascinated by how disease develops and want to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, a career in pathology might be ideal for you.
- Complete an undergraduate degree in health or biomedical science
The most common education pathway for prospective pathologists is to complete an undergraduate degree in the health or medical science fields. Some examples of relevant degrees may include a Bachelor of Health Science, Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. These courses provide the foundational knowledge in health science and help you develop the critical analysis skills essential for a successful pathology career. Depending on your chosen degree, this may take around four years to complete.
- Complete your postgraduate studies and become a doctor
Then you’ll need to become a medical doctor by completing a Doctor of Medicine. The admission criteria for studying medicine can vary across different Australian universities. The typical requirements include completion of a bachelor’s degree, successful Multiple Mini Interview performance and completion of the Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) with a minimum score set by the university.
After completing your medical degree, you’ll then complete a year-long internship in an accredited facility, such as in a hospital, general practice or community health setting. After your internship, you’ll complete between one and three years of residency as a doctor. Residency provides opportunities to help broaden your clinical experience in a range of specialties and can better prepare you for your chosen specialty training. You may want to consider a laboratory rotation to confirm your interests in this field of medicine.
- Apply for work in a laboratory and gain RCPA accreditation
Once you’ve completed your medical residency, you can begin your specialty training to become a pathologist. To do this, you must first be employed in an RCPA-accredited laboratory. Then you’ll apply to the RCPA to complete your training in one of the eight disciplines outlined above. If you’re interested in more than one discipline, you can also undertake joint training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in chemical pathology, haematology, immunopathology and microbiology.
As part of the training process, you must also pass a series of assessments. First, you’ll take a basic pathological sciences (BPS) examination. Then you’ll take your Part 1 and Part 2 examinations in your third and final year, respectively. This exam process is an essential requirement for all pathology trainees. The RCPA training takes a minimum of five years (full-time equivalent) to complete and must be carried out across at least two laboratories during this time. Once your traineeship is complete you’ll apply for your RCPA fellowship.
You'll also be eligible for specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Once you obtain this accreditation, you'll be ready to practise as a fully qualified pathologist.
- Start applying for jobs
Once you've gained the necessary accreditation, it's time to start looking for pathologist jobs. The first place to enquire could be the laboratory where you completed your training. The RCPA job board also has listings in various pathology specialisations around Australia. Specific medical recruitment agencies also showcase a range of pathology jobs. State and local government websites frequently list pathology positions available as they provide services to different hospitals in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
Other employment websites such as SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn are good places to search for and find pathology jobs in your local area. Connecting with industry professionals and seeking mentorship is also a valuable way to gain experience in the field. You’ll gain important insights and enhance your chances of landing your dream job.
Begin your postgraduate journey today
Embarking on a career as a pathologist can be challenging and enriching. Now that you know the steps to becoming a pathologist, you can begin your educational path to this fulfilling industry.
Are you interested in postgraduate study but unsure where to begin? Explore GlobalHealth Education's healthcare courses, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health. If you need guidance about choosing a course, our Student Enrolment Advisors are ready to answer your questions.