A hematopathologist analyzes blood samples to identify diseases using sophisticated equipment. They write lab reports and explain results to doctors to determine the best course of treatment. To become a hematopathologist, one must earn a doctor of medicine degree and complete a residency program.
A hematopathologist is a clinical scientist and physician who analyzes blood samples to identify diseases. He or she uses sophisticated equipment to visualize, separate and test blood components. Based on the results of laboratory tests, the hematopathologist can create detailed reports and pass the findings on to physicians so that they can make accurate diagnoses. Many hematopathologists also conduct general drug and disease research to discover better treatment methods for various conditions.
When a doctor suspects that a patient is suffering from bone marrow or blood-borne disease, he or she collects samples to send to the hematopathologist. In the laboratory, the hematopathologist arranges samples on slides to view them closely under a microscope. The doctor also uses a machine called a flow cytometer to count and identify cellular components in the blood. The flow cytometer focuses laser light on a sample to reveal individual particles, which may appear abnormal if disease is present. Other well-established physical and chemical tests are performed to confirm the presence of abnormalities.
Once the hematopathologist is confident in the diagnosis, he or she usually writes a lab report and explains the results to the doctor. Diseases such as leukemia, lymphatic cancer and certain viral and bacterial infections are explained in detail in the hematopathologist’s report. Your specialist knowledge of blood disorders can help your doctor determine the severity of a condition and the best course of treatment.
Scientists and physicians are constantly adding to the collective literature on disease. To stay current on findings and discoveries, a hematopathologist often reads medical journals and attends professional conferences. He or she also makes personal contributions to the body of knowledge by publishing clinical procedures and research results in official journals. Most hematopathologists are expert writers who are able to accurately convey their ideas to other professionals in the field.
A person who wants to become a hematopathologist first needs to earn a doctor of medicine degree from an accredited medical school for four years. Upon graduation, a new physician receives hands-on training in a four-year residency program in a hospital laboratory. During a residency, physicians learn a wide range of techniques from experienced clinical scientists in hematology and pathology. The last part of a residency is devoted specifically to blood and bone marrow disorders. After gaining experience in a residency program, a successful new physician can take a board certification exam administered by a national organization to obtain a license and begin working independently.
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