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Useful experience for pathologists includes:

• work in healthcare in hospitals or clinics
• work in a laboratory
• work caring for people.

Pathologists may do some or all of the following:

• analyse samples taken from patients 
• diagnose diseases such as cancer and diabetes
• discover the genetic causes of disease
• provide reports and advice for medical practitioners
• research diseases to find cures and guide public health policy
• investigate deaths and perform autopsies
• teach medical students and trainees
• monitor treatment and progression of diseases.

Number of factors contribute to shortage of pathologists

Pathologists are in demand as there is a shortage of workers due to:

• New Zealand's growing and ageing population
  
• an ageing workforce
• more criminal cases needing forensic pathologists
• a worldwide shortage of specialist doctors.
  

According to the Census, 327 pathologists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most pathologists work for public and private hospitals

Pathologists may work for:

• public hospitals run by District Health Boards
• private hospitals
• Labtests NZ
• the medical schools at the Universities of Auckland and Otago doing teaching or research.

Medical Council of New Zealand

0800 286 801 - www.mcnz.org.nz

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)

rcpa@rcpa.edu.au - www.rcpa.edu.au

Pathologists may progress to teach students and trainee pathologists at larger hospitals and universities. They may also become clinical directors, combining an administrative role with a pathology role. 

Pathologists may specialise in roles such as:

Anatomical Pathologist

Anatomical pathologists study organs and tissues to help determine the cause and effect of diseases. They are primarily involved in diagnosing cancers.

Chemical Pathologist

Chemical pathologists use analytical instruments to detect chemical changes in bodily fluids, and use the results to diagnose diseases and other conditions.

Cytopathologist

Cytopathologists study cells from fluid samples taken by scraping a lesion on a body or with a needle.

Forensic Pathologist

Forensic pathologists investigate unexpected deaths, analyse criminal cases and assist the police in a range of investigations.

Genetic Pathologist

Genetic pathology involves testing chromosomes and DNA from cells in body fluids and tissues, and diagnosing genetic diseases.

Haematologist

Haematologists deal with diseases that affect the blood, such as anaemia and leukaemia and may also work in blood typing and compatibility testing, and the management and supply of a large range of blood products.

Histopathologist

Histopathologists study tissues from patients to check if a disease is present.

Immunopathologist

Immunopathologists study and test specimens from the immune system.

Microbiologist

Microbiologists deal with diseases caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites through testing blood, body fluids and tissue samples.

Pathologists need to be:

• accurate, with good attention to detail
• analytical, with problem-solving skills
• able to work well under pressure
• excellent at data analysis and interpretation
• good at communicating
• good at report writing.