How to Become a Blood Pathologist
The field of pathology involves studying and diagnosing medical conditions and diseases using human organs, bodily fluids and tissues. A blood pathologist, commonly called a pathologist, is a type of physician. Instead of working directly with patients, however, a pathologist works with other doctors to help diagnose and recommend treatment options for patients. For example, a pathologist examines blood samples to detect an illness or disease in a patient. He then provides the results to the patient’s primary care physician, who advises patients. Pathologists also interpret laboratory information and monitor patient treatments.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Complete an undergraduate education. Choose any major you’re interested in as long as you take a heavy load of courses such as biology, inorganic chemistry, physics, organic chemistry and mathematics.
-
2
Take the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT. This standardized test is a requirement to enter medical school.
-
-
3
Acquire practical experience. Volunteer or work in an entry-level job in a local clinic or hospital. You can list the work on your medical school application to show you have experience in the health care profession.
-
4
Attend medical school. Apply to medical school by sending transcripts, letters of recommendation and MCAT scores to colleges you’re interested in attending. You might have to complete an interview conducted by the college’s admissions committee.
-
5
Enter a residency, which involves paid on-the-job training in a hospital. It typically takes about four years to complete. During the residency you will work in clinical and anatomic pathology. Typically, the American Board of Pathology certifies you once you’ve completed the residency.
-
6
Specialize in blood pathology once you have been certified. You can choose a subspecialty such as hematology or clinical pathology. Learning an additional specialty takes approximately a year.
-
7
Earn a license. All states and the District of Columbia and U.S. territories require you to pass the US Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, before working in pathology.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In your first two years of medical school, you will focus on courses like pathology, medical law, pharmacology and medical ethics. Your last two years consists of working with patients in clinics and hospitals under the supervision of an experienced physician.
As of May 2010, blood pathologists earned a mean salary of $180,870 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
