search STORE LOGIN MY ROLE MEMBERSHIP LEARNING GET INVOLVED CAREERS ABOUT ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION NEWS Careers In the Medical Laboratory Whether you are considering a career in pathology or laboratory medicine, ASCP has resources to help you. A great career is waiting for you! ASCP CAREERS LEARN ABOUT CAREERS Learn More About Careers in the Medical Laboratory Whether you are interested in becoming a pathologist or a medical laboratory scientist, ASCP has resources to help you understand the career, educational requirements, scholarship, salaries and job opportunities available to you. What Is a Pathologist? A pathologist is a physician with a MD or DO medical degree who leads the examination of the tissue and organ samples and coordinates or communicates with the primary care physician to ultimately determine a diagnosis, or in some cases, cause of death. Research has shown that at least 70% of all medical decisions rely on some sort of laboratory data. As a pathologist, you will play an important role in overseeing the processing and analysis of laboratory samples. There are many types of pathologists, including: Anatomic Forensic Clinical Surgical Veterinary Resources Career information for aspiring pathologists include: Pathology as a Career in Medicine Pathology Training Resources ASCP Fellowship & Job Market Surveys ACGME Accredited Programs and Sponsoring Institutions What Is a Laboratory Professional? Laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical contents of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other high-tech laboratory equipment. They also use automated equipment and computerized instruments to test specimens. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze and relay the results to physicians. There are many types of laboratory professionals, including: Medical Laboratory Scientists Medical Laboratory Technicians Cytotechnologists Histotechnologists Phlebotomists Molecular Biologists Pathologists' Assistants Clinical Chemists Technologist in Cytogenetics Resources Information about careers in laboratory medicine include: What's My Next Who's Who in the Lab: A Look at Laboratory Professionals ASCP 2017 Wage Survey ASCP 2016-2017 Vacancy Survey ISTP Workforce Initiatives My Role Pathologist Resident Lab Professional Program Directors Student Membership Renew Membership Become a Member Get Involved Rewards Member Center Learning Certificate Programs Attend Meetings Explore Books and Journals Continuous Quality Improvement & Quality Assurance Access My Education ACCME CC Resources CMP Resources ASCPedia Featured Education Immuno-Oncology ASCP Annual Meeting ASCP Virtual Town Hall Series Inside the Lab Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds Get Involved Get Recognized Receive Awards Serve Your Community Center for Global Health Serve Your Profession Partners in Cancer Diagnosis Institute for Science Technology & Public Policy Choosing Wisely Patient Champions Discover Opportunities Apply to Volunteer Ambassadors ASCP Mentorship Program Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Careers Find a Job Post a Job Learn About Careers Discover Fellowships Work at ASCP About ASCP Our Mission Supporting Our Members Our Community Efforts ASCP Foundation Contact ASCP Media Relations Board of Certification Get Credentialed Stay Credentialed Verify Credentials Program Directors About BOC Apply Now/Check Status/Update Info Manage Your BOC Account Declaration & Complete CMP News ePolicy News Chicago (Headquarters) 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 Privacy Policy Terms of Use Follow Us FacebookTwitterLinkedInYoutube Copyright ©2021 by American Society for Clinical Pathology. All Rights Reserved.