How to Become a Pathologist?

Are you someone who has always been interested in pursuing a career in medicine but has never desired to enrol in an MBBS programme? You have a variety of different alternatives, including nursing and pathology, etc.,

The efficiency of treating a disease depends on accurate pathological reports. Here comes the importance of Pathology and pathologists in the healthcare system. Today the demand for pathologists is on the rise due to Covid 19 pandemic. So it has turned into one of the most sought-after jobs worldwide. In this blog, you will get to know the path of becoming a pathologist step by step.

What is Pathology? Why Choose a Career in Pathology?

Pathology is a significant branch of medical science. It studies the causes, mechanisms and effects of diseases and injuries through surgically removed organs, biopsy samples (tissues), bodily fluids and the whole body (autopsy).

Doctors, scientists and other medical professionals working in pathology are known as pathologists. They play a vital role in supporting every aspect of healthcare by conducting research, advancing medicine and devising treatments to fight diseases. We have significantly reduced illnesses worldwide in the last decade thanks to them.

Amidst the pandemic, you could have understood the contribution of pathologists in fighting Covid and the reason behind the high demand for pathologists in the healthcare system. If you are not clear yet, here are the reasons why pathology is one of the most sought-after career options today:

• Pathology is a diverse industry with the latest advancements.
• Choosing pathology as a career will prepare you for various attractive employment options.
• Pathologists play a vital role in providing optimal patient care on a big scale. 

Popular Pathologist Courses for International Students

Several popular courses provide specialities from certificate level to master level in pathology. Those courses are listed below:

Certificate Courses – 1 year

• PDCC (Blood Banking & Immunohaematology)
• PDCC (Blood Component Therapy & Apheresis)
• PDCC (Hepatopathology)
• PDCC (Renal Pathology)
• Post MD Certificate course in Immunopathology

Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Pathology – 2 years
• Diploma in Clinical Pathology – 2 years
• Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology – 2 years
• Post Graduate Diploma in Human Genetics and Pathological Techniques (PGDHGPT) – 15 months

Bachelor Courses

Bachelor of Audiology Speech and Language Pathology – 4 years

Master Courses

• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Pathology – 2 years
• Master of Dental Surgery in Oral Pathology – 3 years
• Doctor of Medicine in Pathology – 3 years

Doctoral Courses

• Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology – 3 years
• Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Pathology and Audiology – 3 years

How to Become a Pathologist Abroad?

Foreign university pathology courses focus on practical hands-on experience with extensive subjective knowledge. So, the journey of becoming a pathologist can be challenging to meet the global need for pathologists in the healthcare system. Here is the stepwise guide to becoming a pathologist abroad:

• Typically, you need a bachelor's degree in any field but with one year of Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology.
• Then, you need a degree from a medical school, which takes four years to complete.
• After obtaining the degree, you must finish a 2-year general training foundation program.
• Lastly, you must complete 3 to 7 years in an internship or specialist training program in Pathology. 

Top Universities in India for Pathology

There are several universities in India that provide top-notch Pathology courses. You can opt for those universities to study pathology after finishing 10+2 boards.

Here is the list of those universities:

1. St Johns Medical College, Bangalore
2. AFMC Pune – Armed Forces Medical College
3. HIMSR New Delhi – Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research
4. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore
5. SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai
6. BJ Government Medical College, Pune
7. Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
8. Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai
9. Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore
10. Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar.

Abroad Universities for Pathologists for Indian Students

Eligibility Criteria to Study Pathology Abroad

Career opportunities in Pathology are flourishing every day. You need to be well versed with the technology and skills required to meet the challenges of studying pathology abroad. You can opt for pathology courses abroad after finishing your 10 + 2. But you must fulfil the eligibility criteria to get into top universities abroad. So, here are the eligibility criteria to study pathology abroad:

• You need a high school diploma in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
• Four years of an undergraduate degree is also required. It can be in any field but with one year of Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology. This will enable you to sit for MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
• Some universities in the USA require residency training in anatomy and Clinical Pathology.
• A minimum IELTS score of 7 reflects the English proficiency skill. So, you must have good IELTS to be admitted to top universities abroad. Some universities can ask for GMAT and GRE.

Though these are the standard requirements for admission to good universities abroad, you should check the university website. Few universities take their entrance tests. They can even ask for TOEFL and PTE. 

Types Of Pathologists

Different roles and responsibilities differentiate pathologists into various types. So, here are the types of pathologists:

• Clinical Pathologist: A clinical pathologist practices in laboratory and pathology groups. Freshers in pathology take their first step as clinical pathologists. They gain tissue and laboratory analysis knowledge that will help them diagnose and treat soon.
• Anatomic Pathologist: An anatomic pathologist focuses on the effect of diseases on body organs as a whole and microscopically. They identify abnormalities that can help to diagnose disease and manage treatment.
• Forensic Pathologist: A forensic Pathology determines the cause of death by examination of a corpse. Four to five years of experience in clinical or anatomic pathology is needed to become a forensic pathologist.
• Medical Lab Technician: Medical lab technicians diagnose diseases and help in the treatment process of patients.
• Laboratory Technician: Laboratory technicians collect and process specimens, including skin and bodily fluids, to diagnose and plan treatment in laboratory settings. 

Pathologist: Roles and Responsibilities

Pathologists do not work with patients directly. But they contribute significantly to the medical field. They help medical practitioners develop a treatment for patients by diagnosing the illness. 

Here are pathologists' primary roles and responsibilities in the healthcare system:

• Pathologists analyse bodily fluids and tissue specimens in the laboratory using different tools and equipment.
• They look for sample abnormalities and convey the relevant information to the respective medical practitioner. They can also suggest potential treatment options.
• After conducting the test, pathologists write a detailed report of the results of the tests and the final diagnosis.
• The field of pathology improves with the advancement of science and technology. So, pathologists stay up to date with recent developments. They read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional conferences to be updated.
• Pathologists are experts in diagnosing infections such as hepatitis B and AIDS. In these cases, they try to detect antibodies in the patient's immune system that helps fight infections.
• The research to develop new tests or instruments to improve the diagnosis of diseases.
• Pathologists supervise and manage technicians and other assistants. 

 Jobs and Salaries for Pathologists Abroad

Scopes After Pathologist Abroad

Becoming a pathologist abroad is difficult as the program is blended with intense theoretical and practical knowledge. But, once you finish your program, plenty of job opportunities will be available. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the healthcare system needs more and more well-versed pathologists to diagnose diseases and make treatment plans. According to several reports, the scope of studying pathology abroad will be more demanding. So, pathology is one of the booming industries. After completing the degree, you can easily opt for different job opportunities with a good salary package.

Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. aecc and get your queries answered today! aecc is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.

FAQs About How to Become a Pathologist