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Empathy is an integral part of our human nature. It is a skill ingrained in us, but it can also be learned and improved upon. Explore ways to develop your empathy and be more successful in life.

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Choose a few of these stories about mystery medical cases and how they were solved. Does assessing symptoms and doing research to figure out diagnoses seem like something you'd like to do?

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The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Physicians, Pathologists

Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Pathologists

Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners

Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.

Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.

Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.

Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.

Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.

Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.

Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).

Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports.

Database software

Microsoft Access

Microsoft PowerPoint

CPSI CPSI System

MEDITECH Anatomical Pathology

PathLogix

Wyndgate Technologies ElDorado Donor

Cerner Millennium ProFit

Healthvision MediAR

TELCOR Billing Information System

XIFIN

ComBase

Digital image databases

Microsoft Excel

SAP software

Microsoft Office software

Database management software

Freezing microtomes

Rotary microtomes

Sliding microtomes

Ultra microtomes

Automated pipettes

Disposable plastic pipettes

Gravimetric pipettes

Sterile screw-cap cups

Sterile screw-cap glass tubes

Sterile screw-cap plastic tubes

Automated immunoassay analyzers

Chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzers

Fluorescence polarization immunoassay analyzers

Bone marrow puncture needles

Trephine biopsy needles

Eyewash fountains

Histopathology block holders

Blood irradiators

Plastic petri dishes

Automated slide stainers

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Very important

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week or more but not every day

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Very important results

Important results

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

A lot of freedom

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

Physicians, Pathologists

Overview

Career

What Physicians, Pathologists Do

Other Job Titles Physicians, Pathologists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Physicians, Pathologists

Overview

Career

What Physicians, Pathologists Do

Other Job Titles Physicians, Pathologists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Physicians, Pathologists

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders