Hospitals, medical labs need you
HT Horizons interviews — Dr Om P Manchanda, CEO, Dr Lal PathLabs.
Apart from hospitals, where else can a pathologist work?
Pathologists can broadly choose service, teaching or research. The service category offers the option of working in the diagnostic field related to not only hospital-based labs but also standalone independent laboratory services and blood-bank associated labs.
Teaching, on the other hand, can be undertaken at undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical /dental colleges and universities. 
Besides community and academic practice, career options are available in health regulatory services, such as the FDA.
Research includes work in clinical-trial labs and development of diagnostic aids.
Another important diversification of a pathologist’s role comes in utilising one’s technical skills for marketing and product development of diagnostic aids, reagents and instruments.
With the advent of accreditation processes, quality systems are increasingly becoming an integral component of every laboratory and thus opening avenues for pathologists to diversify their role as quality managers and auditors. They can also play a role as consultants for audit processes for various laboratories which lack experience in this process.
How is the job scenario in India for those with expertise in various fields, including speech, forensic and surgical pathology, etc?
The outlook for pathologists is very good. Take Dr Lal PathLabs, for example. We plan to hire 250 pathologists in the next three years. For the health sector, including standalone pathology enterprises and hospitals, about 3,000 pathologists will find employment in the next three years. There is likely to be competition for teaching work in universities and new jobs for pathologists in research and medical laboratory work.
Considering the increasing demand for highly qualified pathologists in India, several institutes, colleges and universities have included courses in pathology in academic programmes.
Forensic pathology offers a unique opportunity to combine the scientific and academic rigours of histopathology with the ability to practice medicine in its broadest sense in a legal setting. It is challenging and rewarding, aptly suited to the adjective ‘grim glamour’.
Opportunities for those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in pathology are expected to be better than opportunities for those with doctoral degrees. Jobs will be plentiful in industry, large hospitals, and medical centers. With increased interest in preserving the environment, expanding food supplies, and improving healthcare, private companies are expected to fund research in pathology. There will be a great number of positions in sales, marketing, and research management.
Is there any interesting aspect which makes a pathologist’s career enjoyable?
There are several interesting aspects in pathology. However, only committed pathologists are able to relate to these. For example, the reward may come in the form of gratitude of patients – especially when a timely diagnosis saves people’s lives. Apart from this, unravelling the mysteries of the DNA can be very satisfying for pathology scientists.
Author: HT Horizon
Date: 29th April, 2010
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