How to Be Surgical Pathologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 21, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Surgeons rely on the expertise of surgical pathologists to help determine the best course of action for their patients. Surgical pathologists use microscopes to examine tissues and organs and provide diagnoses based on their observations. This information can help surgeons determine if a patient needs to be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

By studying the pathology of a tissue or organ, a surgical pathologist can also detect possible cancerous or precancerous cells, which can help surgeons determine the best treatment for the patient. The accuracy of a surgical pathologists diagnosis is essential for the successful outcome of a patients treatment.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree. A bachelor's degree in a scientific field such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry is typically required for admission to a medical school or doctoral program.
Gain Medical School Admission. To become a surgical pathologist, you must complete a medical school program and earn a doctor of medicine (M. D. ) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D. O. ) degree.
Complete a Residency Program. After medical school, you must complete a four-year residency program in pathology. You will likely spend time in both clinical and anatomic pathology during this time.
Obtain Board Certification. After completing the four-year residency, you must pass a rigorous examination to obtain board certification in surgical pathology from the American Board of Pathology.
Earn Licensure. A state medical license is required to practice as a surgical pathologist. Each state has its own requirements for licensure, but they typically include passing an exam and completing continuing education requirements.

In order to remain a capable and up-to-date surgical pathologist, it is important to stay abreast of advances in the field. This means regularly attending continuing education conferences, reading relevant research papers, and staying in contact with other professionals in the field. Keeping up with the latest advances in pathology techniques, such as molecular testing, immunohistochemistry and digital pathology, is essential in order to accurately diagnose and treat diseases.

maintaining a strong network of peers and colleagues can help to keep a surgical pathologist informed of best practices and new developments. By engaging in these activities, a surgical pathologist can stay current in their field, ensuring they are providing their patients with the best care possible.

You may want to check Cytogenetic Pathologist, Clinical Cytogeneticist, and Molecular Diagnostic Scientist for alternative.

Job Description

Diagnose conditions by examining and analyzing tissue samples and other medical specimens.
Develop and implement protocols for tissue handling, processing, and evaluation.
Prepare reports discussing findings and diagnoses.
Communicate with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to provide information on diagnoses and treatments.
Provide consultation services to other physicians and medical professionals regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.
Participate in research projects related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.
Monitor laboratory procedures to ensure accuracy and quality control.
Keep up-to-date with advances in medicine and surgical pathology.
Educate medical students, residents, and fellows on surgical pathology topics.
Perform administrative duties such as documenting patient records, preparing billing reports, and ordering laboratory supplies.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy, histology, and principles of surgical pathology
Ability to interpret and diagnose surgical pathology specimens
Proficiency in the use of laboratory instrumentation and techniques
Ability to communicate effectively with other medical personnel
Knowledge of quality assurance and laboratory safety procedures
Ability to interpret test results and make appropriate recommendations
Ability to perform research and interpret scientific literature
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards for surgical pathology
Ability to use computer applications related to surgical pathology
Knowledge of disease processes, clinical presentations, and therapeutic strategies

The ability to accurately interpret and diagnose tissue samples is essential for a successful surgical pathologist. This requires a deep knowledge and understanding of anatomy, pathology, and clinical medicine. the ability to effectively communicate findings to a team of healthcare professionals is critical for successful patient care.

Effective communication skills allow for a collaborative approach to diagnosis and treatment, which can result in improved clinical outcomes. Furthermore, strong problem-solving skills are necessary for considering alternate diagnoses and formulating a comprehensive treatment plan. Lastly, staying up to date on the latest treatments and technology is essential in order to provide the best care possible.

All of these skills combined create an ideal surgical pathologist capable of making precise diagnoses and providing excellent care.

Medical Director, Clinical Pathologist, and Medical Laboratory Scientist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with preparing, diagnosing, and interpreting surgical pathology specimens?
How do you stay up to date on the latest developments in the field of surgical pathology?
What techniques do you use to review and interpret tissue biopsy slides?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult diagnosis in surgical pathology.
How do you communicate complex information about diagnoses to patients and families?
How do you ensure accuracy when evaluating pathology specimens?
What challenges have you faced in your role as a surgical pathologist?
Describe a time when you had to work with a team to diagnose a complex pathology case.
How do you prioritize competing demands when managing a high volume of cases?
What experience do you have with immunohistochemistry and other advanced laboratory tests?

Common Tools in Industry

Microscope. A device used to magnify small objects and examine them in detail (e. g. histopathology slides).
Needle Aspiration. A technique used to remove a sample of tissue for analysis (e. g. a biopsy of a lymph node).
Immunohistochemistry. A method to detect and identify specific proteins in tissue samples (e. g. the presence of cancer markers).
Frozen Section. A quick procedure to diagnose a suspicious lesion in real time (e. g. deciding if a tumor is benign or malignant).
Pathology Reports. A summary of the findings from the examination of a specimen (e. g. a final report on the cause of death).
Flow Cytometry. A technique to study the characteristics of cells such as size, shape and protein expression (e. g. to identify leukemia cells).
Image Analysis Software. Computer programs used to digitally analyze tissue images (e. g. for measuring tumor size).
Ultrasound. An imaging technique to visualize organs and tissues in real time (e. g. for diagnosing cancerous masses).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP)
Association of Pathology Chairs (APC)
College of American Pathologists (CAP)
European Society of Pathology (ESP)
International Society of Hematopathology (ISH)
International Academy of Pathology (IAP)
International Society of Surgical Pathology (ISSP)
American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA)
American Society of Cytopathology (ASC)

We also have Medical Laboratory Supervisor, Immunopathologist, and Quality Control Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Histopathology. The microscopic examination of tissue samples to diagnose diseases.
Cytopathology. The microscopic examination of cells to diagnose diseases.
Biopsy. The process of taking a sample of tissue for examination and diagnosis.
Immunohistochemistry. A laboratory technique used to identify and visualize proteins in cells by staining them with antibodies.
Molecular Pathology. The study of cellular and molecular changes in diseases.
Cytogenetics. The study of chromosomes and genetic disorders.
Autopsy. An examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death.
Autologous Transplantation. The use of a patient's own cells or tissues for medical treatments.
Organ Donation. The donation of an organ from one person to another for transplantation.
Tissue Engineering. The use of living cells to create new or replacement tissue for medical treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Surgical Pathologist?

A Surgical Pathologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis of diseases through examination of tissues, organs, and other body samples.

What qualifications are required to become a Surgical Pathologist?

To become a Surgical Pathologist, one must complete a four-year medical school degree, followed by a residency in pathology, and then a fellowship in surgical pathology.

What does a Surgical Pathologist do?

A Surgical Pathologist examines tissue removed from patients during surgery to diagnose diseases and make treatment recommendations. They also provide consultative services to physicians and other healthcare professionals.

What is the salary range for a Surgical Pathologist?

According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a Surgical Pathologist in the United States ranges from $169,731 to $331,074.

What type of environment does a Surgical Pathologist work in?

A Surgical Pathologist typically works in a hospital, clinic, or laboratory setting. They may also work in an academic setting, providing teaching and training to medical students and residents.

Web Resources

Surgical Pathology < Pathology medicine.yale.edu
Surgical Pathology | UCSF Pathology pathology.ucsf.edu
Surgical Pathology | Pathology & Laboratory Medicine - Cornell pathology.weill.cornell.edu