Trainees are assessed after the first year, and providing they demonstrate the necessary aptitude for the job, there is an almost guaranteed training placement for years 2-5. Thereafter, promotion is often quick and there are plenty of opportunities for flexible working. Good quality trainees are likely to be successful in gaining senior posts, particularly if they are flexible in adapting their offered specialisms to those needed by prospective employers.
Pathology careers advice for medical students
- Most importantly, focus on completing the Foundation Training Years satisfactorily, as this is a compulsory condition for entering the training programme.
- If you are certain that Pathology is your career option, try and obtain a 4-month rotation to Pathology during your F2 year.
- If you are just considering Pathology as a possible option, try and organize an ‘embedded taster’ with the Pathology department in your hospital. This can last up to 10 days and will give you a very good idea of the daily work involved and of the training opportunities.
- The interview to get into the programme is competitive, so you do need to be prepared. You do not need to have any previous experience of Pathology, but you do need to show passion and commitment to the specialty. The embedded taster provides you with a great opportunity to understand the system, get involved in presenting an interesting case, write a short article or even do an audit project.
Further information
To find out more about a career in pathology, please visit The Royal College of Pathologists’ website at www.rcpath.org.
For more details about pathology training, please contact the College Training and Educational Standards Manager on training@rcpath.org or 020 7451 6741.
