What's needed to get into a Pathology? (1 Viewer)

BlueGas

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Currently doing Biomedsci, does becoming a pathologist require GAMSAT? What are some of the things I would need to get to become a pathologist? I honestly don't know because I was planning on becoming a teacher and I knew what I had to do.
 

Queenroot

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You can be a pathologist as a researcher i.e. major in pathology pHD in pathology

OR if you mean looking at dead people you need a medical degree
 

BlueGas

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You can be a pathologist as a researcher i.e. major in pathology pHD in pathology

OR if you mean looking at dead people you need a medical degree
Well I'm mainly interested in analysing blood samples and blood cell disorders, is that also what a pathologist can do or have I got the wrong idea?
 

BlueGas

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Yep, requires GAMSAT to undertake medicine. Then doing your internships and residencies. Then doing specialising in pathology. Takes ~12 years. You up for it? https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Become-a-pathologist1.jpg

It isn't something to think lightly if you want to do medicine. Have you thought about undertaking research (for further study for biomed) ?
Yeah I dread thinking about doing honours, thesis, research, etc. I just don't like spending too much time studying.
 

Schmeag

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Well I'm mainly interested in analysing blood samples and blood cell disorders, is that also what a pathologist can do or have I got the wrong idea?
The RCPA (Pathology) and RACP (Physician) websites should give you information on this. The equivalent medical specialisation is haematology, which has multiple pathways to get there. If lifelong study is not something you can tolerate, then you will find this pathway rather difficult.
 

BlueGas

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The RCPA (Pathology) and RACP (Physician) websites should give you information on this. The equivalent medical specialisation is haematology, which has multiple pathways to get there. If lifelong study is not something you can tolerate, then you will find this pathway rather difficult.
Since it takes around 12 years to become a specialised pathologist, what would the salary be like?
 

BlueGas

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Also is it really worth it? I'm passionate about specialising in Haematology but not getting a proper job until I'm 32 years old is abit ridiculous. Anyone know other job positions related to haematology that pays 100k+ early?
 

Schmeag

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Since it takes around 12 years to become a specialised pathologist, what would the salary be like?
I obtained this list from a quick search.

Also is it really worth it?
In general, it's worth it if you enjoy the work, which is difficult to know until you are there. It is not enough to enjoy the subject matter. I would suggest a placement if you haven't already done so. Before you sub-specialise, you will be expected to deal with all other forms of clinical (eg not laboratory) medicine, and may have little exposure to haematology bar a couple months of rotation in medical school or as a resident. It is not uncommon to have a change of heart regarding specialty.

I'm passionate about specialising in Haematology but not getting a proper job until I'm 32 years old is abit ridiculous.
You will be paid from internship (eg a proper job) at a reasonable rate (usually around 60-80K full-time). From then on, you are expected to study, sit exams and develop yourself professionally outside your working hours. As a guide, the exams are usually much harder and easier to fail than in medical school. Completion of training in allows for an increase in flexibility of how and when you work.

Anyone know other job positions related to haematology that pays 100k+ early?
Closely related would be nursing and scientists in the field, but they would unlikely to earn that much early on. You could look into pharmaceutics. I'd suggest a search of jobs on the internet for their respective salaries to give you an idea.
 

BlueGas

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I obtained this list from a quick search.


In general, it's worth it if you enjoy the work, which is difficult to know until you are there. It is not enough to enjoy the subject matter. I would suggest a placement if you haven't already done so. Before you sub-specialise, you will be expected to deal with all other forms of clinical (eg not laboratory) medicine, and may have little exposure to haematology bar a couple months of rotation in medical school or as a resident. It is not uncommon to have a change of heart regarding specialty.


You will be paid from internship (eg a proper job) at a reasonable rate (usually around 60-80K full-time). From then on, you are expected to study, sit exams and develop yourself professionally outside your working hours. As a guide, the exams are usually much harder and easier to fail than in medical school. Completion of training in allows for an increase in flexibility of how and when you work.


Closely related would be nursing and scientists in the field, but they would unlikely to earn that much early on. You could look into pharmaceutics. I'd suggest a search of jobs on the internet for their respective salaries to give you an idea.
How about if I wanted to become a sonographer? Currently doing biomedical science so what would I need to do? Because the salaries are quite great for this position.
 

Schmeag

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How about if I wanted to become a sonographer? Currently doing biomedical science so what would I need to do? Because the salaries are quite great for this position.
See here for what you need - as you can see, they are postgraduate courses. I'm not sure if they have any pre-requisites (eg a Bachelor of Medical Imaging) - someone else would need to tell you, or you could do better and shoot the universities an email as I have just Googled everything.

You'll get very little in the way of blood analysis or diseases. As you are aiming for >100K early on, pay is perhaps not as great as you would hope?
 

BlueGas

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See here for what you need - as you can see, they are postgraduate courses. I'm not sure if they have any pre-requisites (eg a Bachelor of Medical Imaging) - someone else would need to tell you, or you could do better and shoot the universities an email as I have just Googled everything.

You'll get very little in the way of blood analysis or diseases. As you are aiming for >100K early on, pay is perhaps not as great as you would hope?
Damn it. I just don't know what to do anymore.
 

BlueGas

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If in doubt, worry less about pay, do your research, and do something that you both like and are good at.
I just want to be financially dependent without ever having to worry about expenses.
 

BlueGas

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Aren't there any haematological related positions with needing to do medicine that pay well?
 

BlueGas

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Yeah I just realised how unrealistic my expectations have been. So what job would I start earning 100k after say 5-7 years or so? Is that still unrealistic?
 

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