How To Become a Pathologist :
Formal qualifications necessary to become a specialist pathologist in South Africa:
- Grade 12 certificate with specific minimum percentages in specific subjects as prescribed by universities offering medical degrees.
- A 6-year Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery. (MBChB)
- A 2-year clinical internship.
- 1 year of compulsory community service.
- Registrar programme at hospital (4 – 5 years)
- HPCSA registration as a specialist pathologist
Specialist training is done
after completing internship and community service.
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY is a separate, registrable speciality. Forensic pathologists in private practice get most of their work by request from attorneys/families requesting a second opinion after a state-conducted autopsy. (More info to follow after 17 June.)
The BHSc(Hons) in Forensic Science does not train students to become forensic pathologists. The only way to become a forensic pathologist is to qualify as a medical doctor and then specialize in forensic pathology.
The training of pathologists initially as general clinicians and subsequently within the laboratory places them in the unique position to advise about appropriate patient testing and care. They understand both the clinical environment and the laboratory.
Techs: The training takes approximately 4 years.
The training curriculum for pathologists and that of medical laboratory technologists differs significantly. The scope of practice of these groups is defined by the HPCSA which maintains the professional register.
If the awarding body titles the degrees in Latin, the degrees are commonly named Medicinae Baccalaureus, Chirurgiae Baccalaureus; Medicinae Baccalaureus et Chirurgiae Baccalaureus; or Baccalaureus in Medicina et in Chirurgia; abbreviated as MB ChB, MB BCh or otherwise
To excel in the field of medicine, experts highly recommend candidates opt for a Doctor of Medicine or MD degree for specialization in post-graduation. These specializations include Radiotherapy, Anatomy, and General Medicine. The degree duration of an MD is three years.
FORENSIC:
To be considered for this course you should have a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Science, or Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering degree. (Universitie’s requirements may differ which are available on the various websites.)
The BHSc(Hons) in Forensic Science does not train students to become forensic pathologists. The only way to become a forensic pathologist is to qualify as a medical doctor and then specialize in forensic pathology.
External applicants (Non-Wits applicants):
- Physiology
- Human biology/anatomy
- Medical cell biology
- Zoology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Forensic sciences
- Sport science
- Biokinetics
- Biomedical engineering
Shortlisted candidates are invited to attend viewings of a forensic autopsy and the ID Unit to gauge their suitability to the forensic mortuary environment. All academic activities are held at the JFPS mortuary and students are expected to be able to handle the mortuary environment and exposure to decedents that have died as a result of unnatural causes.(Wits)
The first 6 years are spent in theoretical training to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and 4-5 years are spent in post-graduate studies to obtain a Master of Medicine in Pathology degree.
