The Role of the Pathologist
Is to:-
- Oversee and take professional responsibility for a diagnostic pathology laboratory.
- This includes the technical aspects of the tests being performed
- Quality control; and
- The overall structure and functioning of the pathology laboratory.
- The pathologist forms the bridge between the clinician and the laboratory. This is where the training, skill and focus of the pathologist is. He/she understands the world of clinical practice and general medicine as well as the laboratory world. This is a unique set of qualifications to enable the patient care.
- The pathologist’s specialist knowledge allows him/her to innovate and develop specific tests in response to South African and African healthcare needs. This level of skill cannot be replaced by a medical laboratory technologist, technician or a medical scientist.
Pathologists are assisted in the laboratory environment by medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory technicians who have undergone theoretical training at the various technikon universities and practical training in a laboratory environment.
