What is a Chemical Pathologist? 

If you have a  Medical Degree, you might consider a career in pathology.

A Chemical Pathologist studies diseases in humans and animals. They work in a laboratory. Some Chemical Pathologists also teach students in universities.

A Chemical Pathologist will analyse a specimen (sample) and diagnose the disease. This report will go to the doctor who will then prescribe the necessary medicines or treatment.

A Chemical Pathologist can also perform autopsies. They try and find the reason why the person died. They might have to give evidence in court.
Chemical Pathology is also known as Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Chemistry.

What does a Chemical Pathologist do?

• studies and researches diseases
• analyses samples to determine the disease
• writes reports
• performs autopsies
• teaches
• appears in court

Are you . . . ?

• scientific?
• inquisitive?
• patient?
• thorough and methodical?
• detail orientated?
• willing to work with dangerous diseases and/or dead people?
• a good communicator?

How do I become a Chemical Pathologist?

You start by doing a regular Bachelor of Medicine degree / Bachelor of Surgery.

Then you do an internship and your community service training.

You must get an accredited University qualification such as UCT’s M.Med. (Chem Path)

You must spend at least 4 years in an approved training post

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
  

• HPCSA: Health Professions Council of SA – You must be registered with them

http://www.hpcsa.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Immunologist or Geneticist

Is becoming a Chemical Pathologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 221207

Other names for Pathologist:

• Clinical Cytopathologist
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Pathologist
• Forensic Scientist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Immunologist

What is a Pathologist?

A Pathologist is a specialist medical job.

A Pathologist works in laboratory. The perform tests on samples of tissue, blood and body secretions to determine illness or disease. These samples can be from live people.

In South Africa, a Pathologist could work for hospitals, government (police) or for companies like PathCare, Ampath or Lancet for instance.

A Forensic Pathologist will use samples from corpses to determine cause of death or to determine whether the person was murdered.

What does a Pathologist do?

• performs various laboratory tests of samples from live bodies
• studies the nature of diseases
• provides laboratory information to medical professionals

What does a Forensic Pathologist do?

• studies the corpse
• does experiments
• determines reasons for death
• writes reports
• provides legal teams with necessary evidence
• may appear in court as expert witness

Are you  . . . ?

• interested in science and biology?
• passionate about working in a lab?
• a problem solver?
• detail orientated?
• observant?
• a logical thinker?
• dedicated?
• methodical and systematic?
• not grossed out with body samples and/or corpses

How do I become a Pathologist?

You will need a qualification.

You will need to study to become a General Medical Practitioner and then, once qualified, practice as a doctor in a private practice, hospital or clinic.

After completing your 2 years, you will need to complete a Master’s degree in Medicine (Pathology)

• University of Cape Town
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• University of the Free State
• University of Witwatersrand

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• HEALTH PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL of SOUTH AFRICA (HPCSA)

HPCSA registration is compulsory from the first year of your medical studies to qualifying and practising as a Pathologist.

Registration categories are:

1. Student
2. Intern
3. Community Service
4. Private Practice

http://www.hpcsa.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Mortician or Phlebotomist

Is becoming a Pathologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Phlebotomy – A Career Choice

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Phlebotomist? –  (pronounced flee-bot-o-mist)

Phlebotomy is a medical job. A Phlebotomist is a trained and skilled healthcare assistant/technician.  It’s a very responsible job. Their main job is to collect blood (and other fluids) from patients for testing in laboratories. These tests will provide valuable information to help doctors and other medical practitioners to diagnose and help patients. 

Other reasons why blood is taken:

• Phlebotomists may also draw blood from donors for blood banks. This blood is used in blood transfusions.
• Blood is used for research

Phlebotomists are people friendly and collect blood in safe and pain-free manner. The blood may not be contaminated in any way. They need to be careful and responsible and follow strict, professional standards and codes of practice.

Phlebotomists may work for pathology companies, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies etc.

What does a Phlebotomist do?

• greets and makes sure patient is comfortable and relaxed (some patients are scared of needles)
• makes sure all equipment is sterilised and organised
• puts on gloves
• uses equipment like tourniquets, syringes, gauze etc
• labels all blood samples very carefully
• sends samples off to laboratory
• follows strict medical procedures very carefully
• captures patient data etc on a computer

Are you . . . ?

• interested in working in the medical industry?
• caring?
• good with your hands?
• very responsible and careful?
• detail orientated?
• a person who can work accurately?
• a person who can follow strict procedures?
• friendly and positive?
• a person with good communication skills?

How do I become a Phlebotomist?

A lot of Phlebotomists train through a learnership in South Africa.

Examples of companies that often offer learnerships:

• Pathcare  CLICK HERE
  
• Clicks
• Dischem
• Ampath Pathology
• South African National Blood Services (SANBS)
• Etc

LEARNERSHIPS

Career Planet loads new opportunities every week. Check our learnership section often. You might be lucky and find a Phlebotomy Learnership in your area. Make sure you match ALL the requirements 100%. 

• CLICK HERE to visit our website for Learnerships advertise at present

• SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (SAQA)

For more information about this career choice.

CLICK ON: http://regqs.saqa.org.za/showQualification.php?id=59345

Basically, you will need to get an FET (TVET) Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques Level 4

Minimum requirements:

Mathematics Literacy at NQF Level 3
Communications (Languages) at NQF level 3

PLEASE NOTE:

Some companies have much higher requirements for learnerships. Make sure you read each advert carefully. ONLY apply if you match ALL their requirements 100%.

• HEALTH PROFESSIONS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA (HPCSA)

http://www.hpcsa.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Dental Assistant or Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Is becoming a Phlebotomist the right career choice for me?