Medical Pathologist: Educational Requirements for a Career in Medical Pathology

Medical Pathologist Job Description
Pathologists are physicians who specialize in body fluids and tissues. Medical, or clinical pathologists are laboratory workers who consult physicians about their patients' conditions. Pathology itself is an enormous area of study and even the sub-classification 'clinical pathology' is an umbrella term for many specializations, such as microbiology, transfusion medicine, clinical chemistry, immunology, and hematology among others. Still, all clinical pathologists aid physicians in making appropriate diagnoses about patient health and medical conditions according to the College of American Pathologists, www.cap.org.
Medical pathologists aid physicians by using special laboratory equipment and procedures. Some tests are automated, while others still need to be done completely by hand. After testing has been done, medical pathologists evaluate the results. Medical pathologists mainly work in hospitals, but clinics, laboratories, and physician offices also employ medical pathologists.
Educational Requirements for Medical Pathologists
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to enter into this field. Most employers look for the prospective candidate to have completed several years of medical school and sometimes residency at a hospital or pathology facility as well. Colleges and universities around the country offer degrees in medical pathology. Some hospitals offer programs, which provide hands-on training and formal instruction. Certification is also highly sought after. The American Board of Pathology provides certification.

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