| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Clinical and Medical |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Laboratory Director |
| Direct reports | Lab Supervisor, Histopathology Technician, Lab Technician |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years of independent reporting after MD, preferably in an NABL-accredited laboratory |
Pathologist job description template
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Job title: Pathologist
Department: Clinical and Medical
Reports to: Laboratory Director
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Pathologist examines tissue, cells, blood and body fluids to diagnose disease, and signs the reports clinicians act on. In Indian hospitals and diagnostic chains the work covers histopathology of biopsies and surgical specimens, cytology such as FNAC and Pap smears, haematology including smears and bone marrow, and sign-off of biochemistry results. Many also oversee the blood bank or collection centres. A good pathologist gives accurate, timely reports, calls critical values promptly and keeps the laboratory NABL-ready.
Key responsibilities
- Examine biopsies and surgical specimens grossly and under the microscope, and issue histopathology reports with diagnosis, grade and margins.
- Perform FNAC of lumps and report cytology slides, including Pap smears and body fluid cytology.
- Report peripheral smears, bone marrow aspirates and biopsies for anaemia, infections and blood cancers.
- Order and interpret immunohistochemistry panels to confirm tumour type, and discuss difficult cases at the tumour board.
- Perform frozen sections during surgery and phone the surgeon with the result within the agreed time.
- Verify and sign biochemistry, haematology and clinical pathology results in the laboratory system, checking delta and critical values.
- Call critical values such as very low haemoglobin, platelets or potassium to the treating doctor and record the call.
- Run internal quality control and external quality assessment across sections, and lead corrective action on every failure.
- Keep SOPs, method validation files, calibration records and staff competency records current for NABL.
- Set sample rules for collection centres on labelling, transport time and temperature, and reject unsuitable samples with reasons.
Requirements
- MD or DNB in Pathology, or DCP
- Valid registration with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council
- Training in oncopathology, haematopathology or transfusion medicine is an advantage
- 2 to 6 years of independent reporting after MD, preferably in an NABL-accredited laboratory
KRAs and KPIs for a Pathologist
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Histopathology turnaround | Routine biopsy reports issued within 3 working days for 90 percent of cases |
| Frozen section | Frozen section result phoned to the OT within 20 minutes of receipt |
| Critical values | 100 percent of critical values communicated within 30 minutes and documented |
| Diagnostic accuracy | Major discrepancies on peer review or second opinion below 1 percent of reports |
| External quality | Acceptable results in every external quality cycle, with each outlier investigated |
| Accreditation | Zero major non-conformities at NABL assessment and surveillance visits |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Research microscope with camera, Cryostat, Tissue processor and microtome, Haematology analyser, Laboratory information system, Immunohistochemistry stainer.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Laboratory Director, Lab Manager, Head of Department (Clinical)
Interview questions for a Pathologist
- A breast core biopsy looks benign but the radiologist is suspicious. What do you do?
- How do you choose the immunohistochemistry panel for a poorly differentiated tumour?
- A surgeon in OT needs a frozen section on a thyroid nodule. What can and cannot you tell him?
- Your lab failed an external quality round for potassium. How do you investigate?
- What do you check before signing a report with a very low platelet count?
- How would you reduce labelling errors in samples from collection centres?
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What does a pathologist do?
A pathologist diagnoses disease by examining tissues, cells, blood and body fluids in the laboratory. They report biopsies and operation specimens, perform FNAC and Pap smear cytology, examine blood smears and bone marrow, sign laboratory results and inform doctors of critical values. Their reports guide surgery, cancer treatment and many other decisions.
What is the difference between a pathologist and a lab technician?
A pathologist is a doctor with an MD, DNB or DCP in pathology who interprets samples and signs diagnostic reports. A lab technician holds a DMLT or BMLT, collects and processes samples, runs analysers, prepares slides and maintains equipment. The technician's work goes to the pathologist for verification and signature.
Who can sign a pathology lab report in India?
In practice, diagnostic pathology reports in Indian laboratories are signed by a doctor qualified in pathology, such as an MD, DNB or DCP holder, while microbiology and biochemistry sections are signed by doctors qualified in those subjects. Employers should check their state's clinical establishment rules for the exact requirement.