1. CAREERS IN PATHOLOGY

2. PATHOLOGY Pathology is described as “the study of disease” or in other words the scientific study of the way things go wrong In hospital environment there are two main divisions of pathology: clinical pathology anatomic pathology

3. CLINICAL PATHOLOGY Is concerned with biochemical and microbiologic tests performed on blood, tissue fluids or other substances secreted or excreted by the body such as sputum and urine

4. ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY Considers structural abnormalities of cells and tissues that can be detected by gross & microscopic examination of tissues

5. STAFF GROUPS WITHIN PATHOLOGY CLINICAL SCIENTISTS CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS PATHOLOGISTS BIOMEDICAL SCIENTISTS MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANTS

6. CLINICAL SCIENTISTS Term applied to a wide range of graduate healthcare professionals Often at the forefront of innovation within healthcare e.g provide advice Contribute to healthcare e.g by the provision of specialist technical services, education and training, R & D and management

7. CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS Clinical and scientific resource for the hospital Management, resource allocation and strategic planning - senior posts often have consultant status Provision of specialist analytical and clinical services Teaching and research

8. PATHOLOGISTS Issue or sign final pathological reports may discuss complex cases with the surgeon or physician at clinicopathological meetings to determine the best clinical management for the patient medically and postgraduate qualified

9. BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE Is the term applied to the investigations carried out by Biomedical Scientists, without which the diagnosis of disease would not be possible

10. BIOMEDICAL SCIENTISTS I Play an important part in modern medical care accurate and efficient - lives depend on their skills carry out tests on samples of tissue and body fluid

11. BIOMEDICAL SCIENTISTS II Although some important tests are routine, many are challenging and demanding, and often require the use of sophisticated equipment at present, after basic training most Biomedical Scientists specialise in one of five main disciplines

12. FIVE MAIN DISCIPLINES Microbiology Haematology Blood Transfusion Cytology Clinical Biochemistry

13. MICROBIOLOGY I The Microbiology Department is concerned with the detection, isolation and identification of micro- organisms that cause disease in man any part of the human body, whether tissue or fluid can be examined these tissue or fluid swabs are inoculated onto culture media to allow the micro-organisms to grow after incubation

14. MICROBIOLOGY II Tests are carried out to determine the identity of the organism the sensitivity of the micro-organism to a range of currently used antibiotics is tested this information is given to the doctor who will make a decision on the correct management and care of the patient

15. MICROBIOLOGY III The environmental section examines samples of faeces, food and water for the presence of organisms that cause food poisoning Semen analysis is undertaken in the case of infertility immunology deals with the detection of antigens and/or antibodies present in blood samples, arisen due to infection with an organism or disease process e.g Rubella, HIV

16. HAEMATOLOGY I Is the study of the morphology and physiology of blood The Haematology Department is sub-divided into 4 main areas: general, coagulation, special haematology and blood transfusion automated instruments are used to count different cell types in a blood sample - full blood count (FBC) and reports cell numbers, size and paleness - up to 120 samples per hour

17. HAEMATOLOGY II Blood smears are made of abnormal counts to examine the cell types the appearance of the blood by microscopy can help to diagnose illness or the progression of the treatment white blood cells are identified and classified to aid diagnostics and treatment of anaemia and leukaemia

18. HAEMATOLOGY III Coagulation (blood clotting) measures the ability of the blood to clot, either to check before surgery patients who have unexplained bleeds and monitoring patients on anti-coagulants like warfarin & heparin special tests - such as levels of vitamins (B12/folate), monitoring diabetes control and the detection of blood borne genetic disease (Sickle cell anaemia/Thalassaemia)

19. BLOOD FILMS BEING MADE IN A HAEMATOLOGY LABORATORY

20. BLOOD TRANSFUSION I Provides blood and blood products to patients of RTA’s, those with acute blood loss, anaemia, clotting problems and support leukaemia cases during chemotherapy and radiotherapy - 18,000units were issued in 1999!! Biomedical scientists in the transfusion service are concerned with the identification of individual blood groups and compatibility tests of donors’ blood with that of the patients