It is not for the faint of heart to pursue a pathology degree. A medical pathologist is a doctor who specializes in the study of diseases and the causes of death. A pathologist can also work with live patients to figure out what’s causing a disease or which disease they have. As a result, lab work is regarded as a significant part of a pathologist’s job, and it is where a pathologist spends the majority of his or her time.
A medical pathologist usually works in a hospital, a morgue, or with a forensic science team, though some pathologists do open their own practices on rare occasions. Pathologists are increasingly being hired drug companies to test how their trial medications affect people and to be on hand if something goes wrong. A pathology degree is not easy to come by, and working as a medical pathologist often necessitates more than four years of education from an accredited university. Continuing education is frequently required to stay current with current practices, and additional schooling may be required if a person wishes to specialize in a particular field, such as hematology (the study of blood) or neuropathology, for example (the study of the brain).
A bachelor’s degree in a medical or scientific field is usually required before pursuing a pathology degree. For someone who wants to be a pathologist, biology and pre-medical studies are both good options. These four years are frequently followed a two-year postgraduate degree in one of a variety of approved pathology programs, as well as hours of clinical lab work. Undergraduate pathology courses are also available to assist students in preparing for postgraduate pathology studies.
Although there are specific pathology colleges for students in the United States, such as the New York Medical Pathology College, most colleges and universities offer some form of training for students interested in pursuing a career in pathology. Following completion of the required pathology degree, students must pass applicable licensing examinations based on their geographic location and the job they seek, as with most medical careers. Pathologists are expected to be in high demand, as there is always a need for researchers and those who can figure out how and why a human body isn’t working properly. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for pathologists is expected to remain stable as the population ages and medical technology advances.