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Pathologists are trained specialists who analyse body parts and body tissues. They are in charge of running lab tests. A pathologist is a crucial part of the treatment team who assists other medical professionals in making correct diagnosis. To become a Pathologist in India, aspirants need to complete at least a bachelor degree in Pathology. For further expertise, one can study master and phd courses in Pathology.
In order to become a Pathologist, professionals will need to research the cause and effects of illnesses and diseases on patients. Skilled Pathologists are in high demand in and outside India. To become a Pathologist, one needs to graduate with an MBBS degree and then pursue Diploma or MD in Pathology or other similar courses that have been recognised by the Medical Council of India, abbreviated as MCI.
Popular pathology courses in India include MBBS, DM pathology, PhD Pathology, etc. To become a pathologist after 12th, without going to medical schools, there are Certificate, diploma, and bachelor courses such as BSc Pathology available across top Pathology colleges in India.
- Pathologist: Quick Facts
- About Pathologists
- Eligibility to Become a Pathologist
- Types of Pathologist
4.1 Medical Examiner
4.3 Cytotechnologist
6.2 BSc in Pathology
6.4 MD in Pathology
6.5 PhD in Pathology
10.1 Average Salary
How to Become a Pathologist: Quick Facts
| Industry | Pathology clinic, Drug manufacturing factories, Govt. and Pvt. Hospitals, Pharmaceutical industries, Pathology clinic, Own clinic etc. |
| Eligibility | MBBS degree and Diploma or MSc and then MD in Pathology |
| Average starting salary | INR 6 lakh to 10 lakh |
| Job opportunity | AIIMS, Apollo, Tata Medical, NIP Delhi, etc. |
Who is a Pathologist?
Pathology is related to the management of hospitals and clinical labs. The job of a pathologist is to culture medical specimens to determine and treat various illnesses and conditions. Though Pathologists directly don’t treat patients, they assist physicians in determining the actual cause and possible treatments for illness and conditions.
- Every year approximately 1,500 students are admitted to pathology courses. At present, there are around 4,500 members in the Indian Association of Pathologist and Microbiologist.
- There are around 180 Govt. and Private Pathology Colleges in India.
- Average course fee for studying Pathology is INR 20,000 to INR 2,00,000.
- After Pathology, you can apply in medical colleges, hospitals, clinics etc.
- Report suggests that the diagnostic market may grow up to 27.5 per cent for the next five years.
- Average salary of a pathologist ranges between INR 6,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 per annum.
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Pathologist
To become a pathologist, aspirants will need the right professional and academic credentials to get started with their career as a pathologist. To start your career as a professional pathologist, here are a few requirements you need to follow.
Academic Qualifications
MBBS degree followed by further specialization in pathology, such as Diploma in Clinical Pathology or MD in Pathology.
Professional Qualifications
Aspirants need to acquire the necessary license to practice as a pathologist across the medical establishment.
Types of Pathologist
There are different job profiles in the pathology field you can engage yourself after completing the Pathology course. Some of top Pathologist in India are as follow as:
Medical Examiner
Medical Examiners are responsible for performing autopsies and external examinations in hospitals and medicals. They examine the causes of death of a person. They have to complete the procedures after the death of a person, like, compiling a death certificate and all findings and then make a report on this.
Average Salary of Medical Examiner: INR 17 LPA
Mortuary Attendant
Mortuary Attendants are related to the process of post-mortem examination of a dead person. They have to assist the forensic pathologist to do examination of the body, and other than that maintaining mortuary rooms and equipment.
Average Salary of Mortuary Attendant: INR 3.62 LPA
Cytotechnologist
Cytotechnologists have to work with the pathologist to evaluate patients’ cell sample in order to notice subtle changes to detect infectious conditions.
Average Salary of Cytotechnologist: INR 5.26 LPA
Medical Lab Technician
Medical lab technicians work in a lab to test, examine and analyse collected samples. They have to do tests on body fluids and tissue to assist the physicians. And on the basis of this the physicians diagnose and treat the diseases of patients.
Average Salary of Medical Lab Technician: INR 2.42 LPA
Dermatopathologist
Dermatopathologist are specialists in skin related diseases. They use microscope to examine the skin, hair and nail to diagnose the diseases.
Average Salary of Dermatopathologist: INR 9 LPA
How to Become a Pathologist in India?
To become a Pathologist in India you first have to study MBBS or Diploma in medical science after passing 12th with 60% marks from a recognized board. And after that you can study the Pathology course from a known medical college and hospital.
School Level Preparation
- Study hard and prepare well to seat for entrance exam in order to pursue MBBS degree
- Do thorough study on the subjects, i.e., Physics, Chemistry and Biology for entrance exam
- Remember try to score more than 50% to get admission in a good medical college
How to Become a Pathologist after 12th?
To study MBBS you need to study 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Biotechnology as main subjects and English as core subject with 50% marks.
Under-Graduate Level Preparation
- To become a pathologist after 12, first you need to graduate in MBBS
- If you have finished your MBBS degree then you can study MSc or PG Diploma in Pathology courses
- There shall be an entrance exam for taking admission in PG degree in Pathology
- To become a pathologist without medical school, aspirants can opt for non medical courses such as BSc Pathology.
Post-Graduate Level Preparation
- For the MD or Doctor of Medicine in Pathology, there will be an entrance exam
- Medical examinations are tough hence, study hard to pursue the degree
Courses to Become Pathologist
The pathology courses are offered at different levels. You can pursue a higher degree in this course. Here are some pathology courses one can study.
MBBS
MBBS is a 41/2 year under-graduate degree program one can pursue after 12th grade in Science with 60% marks.
MBBS in Pathology Admission Process
- Aspirants should be a student of science in their class 12 examination to be eligible for MBBS in Pathology Admission.
- Entrance exam is a must to get admission in an MBBS degree.
Entrance Exam
NEET Exam is the only national level exam for admission in MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, etc courses in India. NEET will be conducted in 11 languages this year. All the important details like type of questions, pattern of exam, etc will be released with NEET official brochure. Also, with a reduction in the syllabus of board classes, the NEET question paper might have internal choices.
Check: NEET Exam Pattern
BSc in Pathology
BSc in Pathology is a 3 year degree course one can pursue after 12th grade in Science with 60% marks. BSc in Pathology is about biology research and medical practices. It studies and interprets the tissues, organs, body fluids, in a patient's body.
BSc in Pathology Admission Process
Admission to this course is based on merit. Students need to have CBM(Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics) as their primary subjects in their class 12. They should have completed their class 12 examination with a minimum 60% score in aggregate.
PG Diploma in Clinical Pathology
PG Diploma in Clinical Pathology is for 2 years and can be pursued after completing a UG degree or diploma in Pathology. PG Diploma in Clinical Pathology mainly focuses on clinical pathologies techniques.
PG Diploma in Clinical Pathology Admission Process
- In most colleges admission into this course is done on the basis of merit
- But in some other colleges, there shall be an entrance exam conducted by the college
PG Diploma in Clinical Pathology Entrance Exam
-
Entrance exams for the course are conducted by the college where one want to take admission
NEET-PG is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination prescribed as the single entrance examination to various MD/MS and PG Diploma Courses as per Section (10) of Indian Medical Council Act 1956.
Check: NEET PG Registration Details
MD Pathology
MD Pathology is a postgraduate degree and the duration is 3 year and mainly focused on study, examine, interpretation on organs, cells, tissue, autopsies etc. and diagnose of diseases.
MD Pathology Admission Process
- The admission process to the course is based on entrance exam
- After that there will be counseling process conducted by the colleges
- The counseling process includes registration, biometric finger print verification, photo and signature verification, documents verification
- And then the seat allotment process will be start
MD Pathology Entrance Exam
JIPMER PG Exam is conducted by Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education & Research twice a year (January and July Session) to grant admission to candidates willing to pursue higher degree courses in MD/MS, DM/MCH, and other PG Programs in the medical stream.
Ph.D. in Pathology
PhD in Pathology is a doctoral level research course for 3 years. PhD in Pathology studies how to examine and analyze the sample test, what can be the reason for the diseases, diagnosis of the disease and treatment of the disease. It is mainly an in-depth study on a topic.
Ph.D. in Pathology Admission Process
-
Admission is based on merit and in some universities on the basis of marks secured in entrance exam
How to Become a Pathologist in Abroad
Becoming a Pathologist abroad is quite hard. You have to study for the degree as well as also have to earn the required licensed and fellowship program. So there you have continued your education along with maintaining certification for the course.
Pathologist in UK
Pathologists in the UK earn between £37,191 to £47,132 depending on their posts. To become a pathologist in UK, you will need to:
- Earn a five-year degree in medicine from any university/institute recognised by the General Medical Council.
- Get a 2-years general training foundation course.
- Attend at least a 5-year pathology specialist training programme
Admission process:
- Educational Requirement:
- To become a Pathologist in UK, you have to complete a five years degree program in Medicine that is recognized by General Medicine Council
- Then 2 year general training foundation course in Pathology
- And after that specialist training program in Pathology for 5 to 6 years
Top Colleges for Pathologist in UK
| Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Imperial college (Medicine) | London, England |
| University of Westminster, London, School of life sciences | London, England |
| Queen Mary university of London, Institute of dentistry | London, England |
| Middlesex University, biomedical and biological sciences | England |
| The royal college of pathologist | London, UK |
Pathology Courses Available in UK
- MSc. in Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses
- MSc. in Biomedical Science (Cellular Pathology)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- MSc. in Cancer and Molecular Pathology and Genomics
Pathologist in US
Pathologists in the US earn an average salary of $282,859 annually. To become a pathologist in US, one needs to:
- Earn a bachelor's degree in Science,
- A pathology degree from a medical school,
- 5 to 7 years internship as well as residency program
Admission process
-
Educational Requirement:
- Bachelor degree in Medical Science for 4 years
- Then an internship and residency program for 3 to 7 years
Top Colleges for Pathologist in US
| Institute Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School | Boston |
| Yale School of Medicine | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Keck School of Medicine | Los Angeles |
| Alpert Medical School, Brown University | Rhode Island |
| Duke University School of Medicine | Durham, North Carolina |
Pathologist Courses Available in US
- MSc. in Speech Language Pathology
- Advanced Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- PhD in Computational Cell Biology, Anatomy and Pathology
Benefits of Career as a Pathologist
There are a lot of benefits after becoming a Pathologist. This is a medical science course and hence there is a good opportunity available in this field. You don’t have to worry about getting a well settled job, because in this field after studying pathology you can open your own clinic and can do business.
Good Salary Package
Pathologists are one among the highly paid jobs. Medical students don’t have to wait after completing their course. Pathologists earn a good salary in medical industries. Their starting salary is INR 6 lakh.
Job Security
Pathologists have job security in this field. But there are a lot of students who are studying pathology courses, and hence the jobs are not available to give chances to all the pathologists.
Positive Impact of the Career
Pathologist jobs are challenging and rewarding. After finishing the course, one can get a job in medical, hospitals, clinics etc.
Unique Experience
Becoming a Pathologist is a unique experience. You can deal with different things in the medical sector. Every day there are a lot of patients who are admitted to hospitals, medical centers etc. And hence you have to do many things like, examining, analyzing, and maintaining equipment in a hospital.
Skills Required to Become a Pathologist
| Good communication skill | High dexterity |
| Patience | Physical stamina to work for a long time |
| Problem solving skill | Detail oriented |
| Analyzing skill | Examining skill |
| Organizational skill | Leadership and good team work skill |
Salary of Pathologist in India
Pathologists earn a good salary package in India. The average salary of Pathologists in India starts from 6 to 10 lakh. The salary package varies upon several factors such as experience, degree level, degree college, geographical location, and company’s business scale.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of organization | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Govt. | INR 17,80,427 |
| Private | INR 20,34,486 |
Specialization Wise Salary
| Specializations | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cytotechnologist | INR 6,60,612 |
| Mortuary Assistant | INR 4,59,870 |
| Medical Lab Technician | INR 3,44,948 |
| Medical Examiner | INR 20.35,068 |
| Dermatopathologist | INR 12,00,000 |
| Professors | INR 12,00,000 |
Experience Wise Salary
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 3 to 7 lakh |
| Experienced | INR 12 to 26 lakh |
How to Become a Pathologist: FAQs
Ques. Is it hard to become a Pathologist in India?
Ans. To become a Pathologist in India is not so easy and also not so hard. There is high demand for this job in the medical sectors. But because of a lot of candidates the job market gets shrunk. But if you are eligible for the post, you will definitely get opportunities in this field.
Ques. Is it a highly paid job in India?
Ans. Yes. Pathologists are highly paid for their job. They earn 70 to 80 thousand in a month.
Ques. Can I become a Pathology Professor after completing MD in Pathology?
Ans. Yes. You can become. Because it is a doctoral degree course, so you are eligible for a Professor post in a medical institute or college and hospitals.
Ques. Can I do Diploma in Pathology?
Ans. Yes. You can do Diploma course in Pathology. But MBBS degree or MSc degree in Pathology is better than the Diploma program.
Ques. Will I get a job just after completing MD in Pathology?
Ans. Getting job is not easy in today’s world. There are many people who have MD degree in Pathology and they are doing Part time job as Pathology because of lack of jobs in market.
Ques. What quality one must have to become a Pathologist?
Ans. To become a Pathologist you have these qualities, namely, good communication, detail oriented, problem solving skill, analyzing skill.
Ques. How many types of Pathology we can become after pursuing the course?
Ans. There are mainly 3 types of Pathology, ie., Clinical Pathology, Molecular Pathology, and Anatomical Pathology.
Ques. Can I get job as Pathologist in Abroad?
Ans. Yes. You can be a Pathologist in Abroad. But you have to earn licensed and some necessary documents in order to practice Pathology in abroad.
Ques. What is the salary of Pathologist in USA?
Ans. Pathologist earns $282,859 (INR 20,782,471) per annum.
Ques. Is Pathology a good career choice after MBBS?
Ans. Yes. The course is good and also has a challenging environment where you have to deal with many things.
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