Pathologists identify and diagnose the existence and stages of diseases. They also examine sources of infection in body tissues, fluids, secretions and other scientific specimens.
Where pathologists are employed
Pathologists work in private pathology practices, hospital laboratories or government health laboratories. They may work in private practice on their own, in partnership with another pathologist or in a group practice. Opportunities for general pathologists exist in community hospitals, large country towns and non-metropolitan centres.
Pay
Full-time pathologists in South Australia generally earn more than $1,600 per week.
Job prospects
Employment opportunities depend on a variety of factors such as birth and death rates, population levels and movements, changing patterns of illness and injury, technological advances in health care, the trend towards preventative medicine and the cost to the patient of treatment and health insurance.
In 2011 there were 112 people employed full-time as pathologists in South Australia compared with 51 in 2006.
How to become one
You need a degree in science and post graduate specialist training. At school consider doing English, biology, maths, chemistry and physics.
For information on course admission requirements and how to apply to the universities and TAFE in South Australia visit the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
Check South Australian universities at The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia.
For information about Australian universities visit Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).
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Useful links
Career information has been sourced from government publications, see
data sources for more information.