Identifies and diagnoses the presence and stages of diseases and possible sources of infection in body tissues, fluids, secretions and other specimens.
Skill Level: The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification, one years hospital-based training, and at least 5 years specialist study and training. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
studies the nature, cause, development and clinical management of diseases in people, and the structural and functional changes caused by them
prepares, or supervises the preparation of, tissue sections from surgical and diagnostic cases and autopsies
examines bodily fluids and tissues for the presence and measurement of chemical substances, microbiological organisms, and chemical and other biological responses to disease processes
examines tissues using scientific techniques and equipment to determine the nature, cause and progress of disease
performs autopsies to determine causes of death, the nature and extent of disease and injury, and the effect of treatment
supervises and coordinates the work of technical officers and technicians
writes reports of findings for use by other medical practitioners and coroners
may direct the activities of pathology departments in hospitals, private clinics or laboratories, or other locations