Pathologist

As a Pathologist, you will investigate diseases and health conditions by examining blood, tissue and other samples to help diagnose illnesses and guide patient treatment. You'll use advanced scientific techniques to uncover vital information, working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to improve patient care. You will be laboratory based and will not have any direct patient contact, but all treatment starts with a pathology test, and advancement in digital technology is helping pathologists to push the boundaries of science and healthcare.

Pathologist is also known as Clinical Scientist, Biomedical Scientist, Anatomical Technician.

Role Characteristics

Examine blood, urine and body tissue for disease
Produce reports and advise clinicians on the results
Research and develop new tests
Make decisions based on test results
Organise work in laboratories and supervise staff
Work with other health and care professionals involved in treating patients

Skills

Attention to detail
Observation
Problem-solving
Operating equipment
Specialist skills
Using technology

Day in the life

Find out more about being a Pathologist

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

Undergraduate degree

Degree apprenticeship

Postgraduate degree

BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

How to become

To become a Pathologist, you will need a degree in Medicine, Biomedical Science or another relevant life science subject, depending on the pathology career route you choose. There are many ways to access university level education and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Maths or Physics. Explore some current opportunities below.
Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but don’t have the traditional requirements like A Levels.
Complete a Foundation course – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying Medicine, Biomedical Science, Pathology or a related life science subject if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.

You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

Studying an undergraduate degree in Medicine, Biomedical Science, Biological Sciences, Genetics or another relevant life science subject.
Complete a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification in Biomedical Science, Life Sciences or a related scientific discipline, where available.

Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in healthcare, laboratories, research settings, scientific organisations or patient-facing environments and think about developing your attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication and scientific investigation skills.

To work in this role, you must meet the registration and professional requirements for your chosen pathology career pathway, such as registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for Biomedical Scientists or the General Medical Council (GMC) for Medical Pathologists.

Where can this role lead

From your role as a Pathologist, you could continue investigating disease and advancing medical science by specialising in areas such as Biomedical Science, Genetics, Microbiology, or Cellular Pathology.

You could also specialise in research, diagnostics and scientific innovation as a Biomedical Scientist, building on your expertise in laboratory analysis and disease investigation.

Your analytical, problem-solving and attention to detail skills as a Pathologist would also translate well to sideways moves such as a Laboratory Technician, Clinical Coder, or Science Manufacturing Technician.

Progression might look like leading a pathology department, managing laboratory services, training future healthcare professionals or moving into a Service Manager role within healthcare and scientific services.

Location

Hospitals
Laboratories
Pharmacies

Working hours

Full Time
Part Time
Weekdays
Weekends
Overtime

Opportunities

Access to university

MBChB Gateway to Medicine

A programme designed to support people from different backgrounds, this programme includes an additional foundation year leading into the full Medicine and Surgery degree.

Organisation: University of Leeds

View opportunity

BTECs, T-levels or A-levels

Leeds City College Health and Social Care courses

Find BTEC, T-Level or A-Level courses in Health and Care at Leeds City College

Organisation: Leeds City College

View opportunity

Volunteering

Volunteering in Health and Care

Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care

Organisation: Volunteering Opportunities

View opportunity

Undergraduate Degree

MBChB Medicine and Surgery

Study medicine over five years, including placements in hospitals, communities and GP practices.

Organisation: University of Leeds

View opportunity

Undergraduate Degree

BSc Biomedical Science

Discover how the human body works in health and disease. You'll learn to diagnose and fight diseases in specialist labs on this biomedical science degree.

Organisation: Leeds Beckett University

View opportunity

Undergraduate Degree

BSc Biomedical Science

Studying biomedical science will prepare you for a broad range of scientific careers beyond NHS and public laboratories, including research and development, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, the food and water industry, clinical trials, medical sales and teaching.

Organisation: University of Bradford

View opportunity