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

Nov 7, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Veterinary Clinical Pathologist plays a critical role in diagnosing and effectively treating diseases in animals. They investigate the cause and effect of a disease process and analyze abnormalities in tissue, cells, and bodily fluids. Their expertise helps to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases by examining laboratory tests, biopsies, and other samples.

The Veterinary Clinical Pathologist also assists in identifying potential treatments or therapies that could help improve an animal's health and well-being. As a result, they are essential to the care of animals, protecting their health and quality of life.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Veterinary clinical pathologists must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as veterinary science or animal science. Some schools may offer specialized programs in veterinary clinical pathology.
Complete Veterinary School. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, students must complete veterinary school, which usually takes four years to complete. During veterinary school, students will learn about different diseases and conditions that affect animals and how to diagnose and treat them.
Become Licensed. Veterinary clinical pathologists must be licensed to practice in the United States. Licensure requirements vary by state, but typically require passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam and a state-administered licensing exam.
Obtain Certification. After becoming licensed, veterinary clinical pathologists must obtain certification through the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). The certification process involves passing a comprehensive exam and completing a residency program in veterinary pathology.
Gain Experience. Veterinary clinical pathologists should gain experience in the field by working in a laboratory or with a veterinarian. This experience can help them obtain positions in the field or even advance to higher-level positions.

The importance of selecting a reliable and qualified Veterinary Clinical Pathologist cannot be overstated. When seeking the best care for your pet, you need to make sure you find someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in their field. The right pathologist can provide a comprehensive diagnosis, including accurate lab tests, to help diagnose and treat your pet's health issues.

Inadequate or outdated testing can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment, which can put your pets life at risk. a qualified pathologist will have the necessary expertise to interpret laboratory results and provide appropriate treatments. Furthermore, they should also have the necessary qualifications and certifications, to ensure they are capable of providing the highest level of care possible.

By selecting a reliable and qualified Veterinary Clinical Pathologist, you can be sure that your pet is receiving the best possible care.

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Job Description

Analyze blood, urine, and other body fluid samples from animals
Create and interpret laboratory test results
Monitor and evaluate animal health conditions
Provide preventive and diagnostic services for veterinary care
Develop treatment plans for animals with various medical conditions
Collaborate with other veterinary professionals to ensure the best possible care for animals
Educate and inform pet owners about their pets health and wellbeing
Advise pet owners and veterinarians on appropriate treatments for animals
Perform autopsies on animals to determine cause of death and identify potential diseases
Research new diagnostic techniques and treatments for animal diseases

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and histopathology
Ability to diagnose and treat diseases
Knowledge of laboratory diagnostics and interpretation of laboratory results
Familiarity with pharmacology and therapeutic treatments
Understanding of zoonotic diseases and public health
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work effectively in a team setting
Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures
Knowledge of current clinical pathology trends and research

Veterinary Clinical Pathologists are highly skilled professionals who play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases. They are experts in interpreting and analyzing laboratory tests, as well as diagnosing and monitoring the progression of diseases. Their expertise is critical in identifying the cause of disease and providing accurate diagnoses and treatments that can improve the health of animals.

Veterinary Clinical Pathologists possess a broad knowledge base in veterinary medicine, pathology, laboratory techniques, biochemistry, immunology, and toxicology. they must have excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with veterinarians, other healthcare professionals, animal owners, and research personnel. The combination of these skills helps them to identify underlying causes of diseases, interpret laboratory results, and create effective treatment plans that can improve the quality of life for animals.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in Veterinary Clinical Pathology?
How do you handle complex or challenging diagnoses?
What techniques have you used to develop an effective laboratory testing protocol?
What methods do you use to ensure accuracy and reliability of results?
How do you manage a team of scientists and technicians in a laboratory setting?
What experience do you have with preparing and presenting reports to veterinarians?
What strategies do you use to stay current with the latest research in veterinary pathology?
How do you handle ethical issues in the laboratory?
How do you handle unexpected results or discrepancies in test results?
What experience do you have with laboratory automation systems?

Common Tools in Industry

Blood Analyzers. Instruments used to measure the concentration of chemicals or particles in blood samples. (e. g. IDEXX VetTest Chemistry Analyzer)
Blood Gas Analyzers. Instruments used to measure the pH, pCO2, pO2, and other gases in a blood sample. (e. g. iSTAT Blood Gas Analyzer)
Microscopes. Equipment used to view slides and analyze cells under magnification. (e. g. Olympus BX53 Microscope)
Urinalysis Analyzers. Instruments used to measure the concentration of chemicals and particles in urine samples. (e. g. Abaxis U/A Analyzer)
Hematology Analyzers. Instruments used to measure the number of red and white blood cells in a sample. (e. g. IDEXX VetAutoread Hematology Analyzer)
PCR Machines. Machines used to amplify and detect nucleic acid sequences. (e. g. Thermo Scientific QIAcube Connect PCR System)
Flow Cytometry. Instruments used to analyze cells from a fluid sample based on their size and fluorescent intensity. (e. g. BD Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer)
Electrophoresis. Equipment used to separate proteins or nucleic acids based on size and charge. (e. g. Hoefer SE 600 Electrophoresis System)

Professional Organizations to Know

American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)
American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP)
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
International Association for Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (IAVLD)
European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP)
Association of Veterinary Hematology and Cytology (AVHC)
American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC)
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
Australasian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVS)
Society for Comparative Pathology (SCP)

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Common Important Terms

Hematology. the study of blood, its components, and diseases related to it.
Clinical Pathology. the diagnostic evaluation of tissues, cells, and bodily fluids for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Cytology. the study of cells and their structure, function, and pathology.
Immunology. the study of the immune system, its structure and function.
Microbiology. the study of microorganisms, their structure, function, and pathology.
Nutrition. the study of the components of food, their effects on the body, and how to maintain a healthy diet.
Pharmacology. the study of drugs and their effects on the body.
Radiology. the use of X-rays and other imaging technologies in diagnosing and treating diseases.
Parasitology. the study of parasites and their effects on the body.
Toxicology. the study of toxins and their effects on the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist?

A Veterinary Clinical Pathologist is a veterinarian who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by examining samples of body tissues and fluids such as blood, urine, and feces.

What kind of training is required to become a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist?

To become a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist, one must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary school, followed by a residency and board certification in veterinary clinical pathology.

What is the scope of practice for a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist?

The scope of practice for a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist includes the evaluation of laboratory tests such as hematology, cytology, urinalysis, biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and tissue pathology to help diagnose and treat diseases.

How important is the role of a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist?

The role of a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in animals. They provide specialized expertise in laboratory testing that is critical to the health and well-being of animals.

What type of environment do Veterinary Clinical Pathologists work in?

Veterinary Clinical Pathologists typically work in laboratories, veterinary clinics, research facilities, universities, or other animal health care settings. They may also work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Web Resources

Veterinary Clinical Pathologist | College of Veterinary Medicine at cvm.msu.edu
Residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology - University of Minnesota www.vmc.umn.edu
Clinical Pathology - Veterinary Teaching Hospital csuvth.colostate.edu