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Physicians, Pathologists

SOC 29-1222.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full scope of physician pathologist practice — from supervised specimen examination and routine diagnostic reporting to autonomous subspecialty consultation, laboratory leadership, and organizational strategy in hospital, academic, and reference laboratory settings.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Microscopic tissue samples — examine under direct supervision to identify basic cellular patterns and common histological features in a hospital pathology laboratory.
  2. Gross pathology specimens — inspect and describe macroscopic findings following established departmental protocols during supervised surgical pathology rotations.
  3. Pathology reports — draft preliminary written summaries of findings under attending physician review in an academic medical center setting.
  4. Diagnostic terminology — apply standard medical and pathological vocabulary when documenting case observations in electronic medical record systems.
  5. Laboratory test results — interpret routine urinalysis and basic microbial assay outputs with guidance from senior pathologists in a clinical laboratory.
  6. Medical literature — read and summarize current peer-reviewed pathology publications to support case discussions under faculty mentorship.
  7. Clinical chemistry assays — assist in performing and recording hormonal and biochemical test procedures under supervision in a certified clinical laboratory.
  8. Pathologic findings — communicate preliminary observations verbally to supervising physicians during structured case review sessions.
  9. Etiology and morphology — identify fundamental disease mechanisms and tissue changes in common conditions using standard reference texts and supervised casework.
  10. Laboratory information systems — navigate medical software and database interfaces to retrieve patient test data and enter preliminary results under oversight.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Histological and cytological specimens — analyze with reduced supervision to differentiate benign from malignant cellular changes across routine surgical pathology cases.
  2. Immunology and flow cytometry data — interpret results for common hematologic and lymphoid disorders, applying established diagnostic criteria in a community hospital laboratory.
  3. Pathology reports — compose complete, well-structured written reports summarizing gross, microscopic, and ancillary findings for routine cases with minimal editorial revision.
  4. Diagnostic test orders — consult with clinical physicians to recommend and interpret appropriate ancillary studies, including PCR and fine needle aspiration specimens, in a multi-specialty practice.
  5. Disease etiology and pathogenesis — explain morphological changes and clinical significance to clinical colleagues during interdisciplinary tumor board conferences.
  6. Continuing education — attend professional pathology conferences and apply emerging diagnostic criteria to update departmental practice standards.
  7. Cytopathology specimens — evaluate FNA samples from thyroid, lymph node, and soft-tissue sites, rendering diagnoses aligned with standardized reporting systems.
  8. Molecular biology assay results — integrate PCR and molecular marker data into diagnostic conclusions for oncologic and infectious disease cases in a reference laboratory.
  9. Time management — prioritize intraoperative frozen-section consultations and urgent case sign-outs to meet clinically critical turnaround time benchmarks.
  10. Parasite and microbial test analyses — review and finalize microbiological culture and sensitivity reports for routine infectious disease workups in a clinical microbiology section.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex or rare tissue diagnoses — render definitive independent interpretations across the full spectrum of surgical, autopsy, and molecular pathology cases without peer review requirement.
  2. Multimodal diagnostic integration — synthesize gross pathology, histology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular biology findings to resolve diagnostically challenging cases in a tertiary referral center.
  3. Comprehensive pathology reports — author detailed reports for complex neoplastic, inflammatory, and infectious cases that meet regulatory, accreditation, and medicolegal documentation standards.
  4. Surgeon and clinician consultation — provide real-time intraoperative guidance and post-operative diagnostic clarification to multidisciplinary teams managing high-acuity patients.
  5. Critical clinical judgments — apply advanced inductive and deductive reasoning to distinguish mimicking entities and recommend appropriate clinical management pathways in ambiguous cases.
  6. Quality and safety monitoring — evaluate laboratory turnaround times, diagnostic accuracy metrics, and error trends to drive continuous improvement within the pathology department.
  7. Scientific literature integration — critically appraise newly published diagnostic criteria and incorporate validated methods into autonomous clinical practice.
  8. Subspecialty second opinions — provide expert consultative review of referred cases from outside institutions, issuing authoritative diagnostic opinions in neuropathology, dermatopathology, or oncologic pathology.
  9. Trainee instruction — design case-based teaching materials and conduct structured microscopy sessions to develop diagnostic competency in pathology residents and medical students.
  10. Data analysis and reporting tools — leverage spreadsheet, database, and enterprise medical software platforms to perform population-level case audits and outcome analyses for departmental quality programs.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental diagnostic standards — establish and govern institution-wide pathology protocols, reporting guidelines, and quality benchmarks across all subspecialty sections.
  2. Strategic laboratory development — lead the evaluation, validation, and implementation of next-generation molecular and digital pathology platforms to advance organizational diagnostic capability.
  3. Organizational pathology vision — define the long-range scientific and operational direction of a pathology department or health system laboratory network in alignment with institutional priorities.
  4. Faculty and workforce development — mentor junior pathologists, structure competency-based training curricula, and manage personnel resources to build a high-performing, academically productive team.
  5. Multidisciplinary clinical leadership — represent pathology at executive-level tumor boards, patient safety committees, and health system leadership forums, translating diagnostic insights into system-wide clinical policy.
  6. Research and innovation agenda — design and oversee original investigative studies in disease pathogenesis or diagnostic methodology, securing extramural funding and publishing findings in high-impact journals.
  7. Accreditation and regulatory stewardship — assume accountability for CAP, Joint Commission, and CMS laboratory compliance, directing corrective actions and maintaining inspection-readiness across all testing sections.
  8. Interprofessional knowledge dissemination — present complex pathologic findings and emerging science at national conferences, shaping field-wide diagnostic standards and professional society guidelines.
  9. Health system resource and financial oversight — direct laboratory budgeting, billing operations, and ERP-integrated administrative processes to ensure fiscal sustainability of pathology services.
  10. Equity and access in diagnostic care — champion initiatives that expand access to advanced pathology diagnostics for underserved populations, influencing policy and resource allocation at regional or national scale.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature retrieval — queries an LLM to surface current diagnostic criteria or recent pathology publications, then cross-checks retrieved content against authoritative sources before applying findings to a case WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Pathology report drafting support — submits structured case data to an AI writing assistant to generate a draft report narrative, then reviews and corrects all factual and interpretive content before sign-out Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Histological pattern recognition support — routes digitized whole-slide images through AI-assisted screening tools to flag regions of interest, then applies personal microscopic expertise to confirm or reject each flagged area Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Differential diagnosis scaffolding — prompts an LLM with clinical history, gross findings, and stain results to generate a ranked differential, then evaluates each candidate against morphological evidence Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. AI-generated summary editing — receives AI-drafted summaries of laboratory results or immunohistochemistry panels and revises them for clinical accuracy before communicating findings to referring physicians Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Multi-modal diagnostic synthesis — directs AI tools across gross pathology, cytology, flow cytometry, and molecular biology data streams, integrating outputs into a unified diagnostic conclusion that the pathologist authors and defends Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Workflow time optimization — deploys AI pre-screening on high-volume specimen queues, reclaiming diagnostic bandwidth for complex or ambiguous cases where morphological judgment is irreplaceable Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Critical interpretive override — identifies cases where AI-suggested diagnoses conflict with clinical context or ancillary data and documents a reasoned departure from the algorithmic recommendation Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. AI governance in anatomic pathology — designs laboratory-level protocols specifying which specimen types and diagnostic questions are eligible for AI-assisted pre-analysis, which require unassisted pathologist review, and how discordant results are adjudicated Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Translational model evaluation — critically appraises the performance characteristics, bias profiles, and regulatory status of AI diagnostic models before authorizing their integration into the sign-out workflow Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Mentored AI delegation — supervises residents and fellows in the appropriate use of AI tools, ensuring trainees distinguish AI-generated pattern recognition from evidence-based pathological reasoning WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 50
Augment share: 5%
Time saved: 79.8%
AI autonomy: 3.28
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Pathology report drafting — constructs basic written summaries of gross and microscopic findings using standard anatomical pathology terminology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinical findings communication — conveys preliminary diagnostic impressions to supervising pathologists using structured verbal formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Consultation initiation — requests clarification from senior colleagues when microscopic findings exceed current interpretive scope Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Pathology report writing — produces complete, organized reports documenting etiology, morphological changes, and clinical significance for routine surgical specimens Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intraoperative consultation communication — delivers clear frozen-section diagnoses to surgeons within operating-room time constraints O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Multidisciplinary team communication — presents pathologic findings at tumor boards using precise diagnostic language accessible to oncologists and radiologists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated diagnostic reporting — synthesizes immunohistochemical, molecular, and morphological data into concise, clinically actionable pathology reports for complex cases O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinician consultation delivery — communicates nuanced findings on cytopathology specimens such as FNAs and effusions directly to ordering physicians, including differential diagnoses and recommended ancillary studies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Critical result notification — alerts treating physicians immediately when findings such as unexpected malignancy or infectious organisms require urgent clinical intervention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interdisciplinary conference leadership — leads multidisciplinary tumor boards, translating complex molecular pathology findings into treatment-relevant language for diverse clinical audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Trainee communication mentorship — models precision diagnostic writing and verbal reporting for pathology residents and medical students, establishing department communication standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Public and institutional reporting — authors institutional quality reports and externally published case series communicating rare or complex pathologic findings to the broader medical community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Laboratory protocol adherence — follows established tissue processing and safety protocols while observing experienced pathologists manage specimen workflows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Case prioritization learning — observes how senior pathologists triage urgent intraoperative consultations versus routine surgical cases to manage competing demands Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Resident supervision initiation — guides pathology residents in gross dissection technique and preliminary microscopic interpretation under attending oversight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Quality initiative participation — contributes to departmental quality assurance reviews by flagging discordant diagnoses and documenting corrective actions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Laboratory workflow coordination — coordinates with histotechnology staff to prioritize specimen processing for time-sensitive oncology cases O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Diagnostic authority — assumes full signout responsibility for a broad case mix including neoplastic, inflammatory, and infectious conditions, directing ancillary test ordering without supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multidisciplinary team leadership — chairs tumor board sessions, integrating pathologic findings with radiology and clinical data to guide treatment planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Trainee program leadership — designs and delivers structured didactic sessions for pathology residents on histologic pattern recognition and diagnostic reasoning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Division or section leadership — directs subspecialty pathology divisions, setting diagnostic standards, managing personnel, and aligning laboratory capabilities with institutional clinical priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship program development — creates structured mentorship frameworks for junior faculty and fellows, fostering diagnostic excellence and professional growth across the department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional quality leadership — leads institution-wide diagnostic quality improvement programs, analyzing error patterns and implementing systemic corrective measures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition11 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic uncertainty recognition — identifies gaps in own histologic pattern recognition and seeks supervisory review before rendering preliminary interpretations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Study strategy reflection — evaluates personal effectiveness of using atlas resources and slide review sessions to build microscopic diagnostic competence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Differential diagnosis self-monitoring — tracks personal tendencies toward anchoring on common diagnoses and applies deliberate checklists to ensure rare entities are considered Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Literature-driven self-correction — compares own diagnostic conclusions against current published criteria after challenging cases to identify interpretive errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Ancillary test reasoning review — reflects on decisions to order immunohistochemistry or molecular panels, evaluating whether test selection optimally narrowed the differential Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Post-signout case review — systematically reviews own difficult cases after clinical follow-up data become available, using outcome discordance to recalibrate diagnostic thresholds Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conference preparation metacognition — analyzes own knowledge gaps before tumor board presentations and proactively seeks subspecialty literature to strengthen interpretive reasoning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cognitive bias mitigation — applies structured second-look protocols on cases where initial impression was rapid, guarding against premature diagnostic closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — openly shares personal diagnostic errors and corrective reasoning with trainees, normalizing metacognitive review as a professional standard Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Departmental learning culture cultivation — implements structured case debriefs and discordance conferences that institutionalize collective metacognitive review across the pathology faculty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Personal mastery mapping — maintains a longitudinal record of subspecialty diagnostic performance metrics, using data to direct continuing medical education and fellowship consultation patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Morphological feature identification — identifies and lists key histologic features such as nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic index, and architectural patterns in supervised slide review sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Differential diagnosis construction — generates a ranked list of diagnostic possibilities from gross and microscopic observations under attending guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ancillary study interpretation — evaluates immunohistochemical staining patterns and flow cytometry results to refine differential diagnoses and exclude mimics O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinicopathologic correlation — integrates patient age, anatomic site, radiologic findings, and clinical history with morphologic data to narrow diagnostic interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence evaluation — critically appraises published diagnostic criteria and classification schemes when reconciling ambiguous morphologic findings with existing taxonomies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex case reasoning — resolves diagnostically ambiguous specimens by systematically evaluating morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular evidence against established WHO classification criteria O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Etiologic analysis — determines probable pathogenesis of disease processes by integrating morphological change with microbiological, toxicological, and clinical chemistry data O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Intraoperative frozen-section judgment — renders rapid intraoperative diagnoses by critically weighing artifact-limited tissue quality against clinical urgency and consequence of diagnostic error Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Diagnostic algorithm development — constructs evidence-based institutional diagnostic algorithms for challenging entities such as borderline ovarian tumors or lymphoma subclassification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary evidence synthesis — leads multidisciplinary case conferences by integrating genomic, proteomic, and histologic data streams to resolve diagnostically contested cases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research hypothesis generation — formulates original research questions by identifying inconsistencies in current pathologic classification systems and designing studies to resolve them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration11 statements
Emerging
  1. Gross room teamwork — works cooperatively with histotechnologists during specimen dissection, respecting established workflow roles and communication norms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdepartmental observation — participates in joint radiology-pathology correlation sessions to understand how imaging findings correspond to histologic diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Clinical team consultation participation — responds to clinician requests for diagnostic consultation, providing findings and recommending additional studies in a collegial exchange O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multidisciplinary case coordination — collaborates with oncology, surgery, and radiology teams to ensure pathologic findings are integrated into treatment planning discussions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Laboratory staff partnership — coordinates with laboratory scientists on test validation, specimen adequacy, and result turnaround, valuing technical staff expertise in shared diagnostic outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Tumor board co-leadership — partners with oncology and radiology colleagues to co-lead multidisciplinary tumor conferences, integrating diverse clinical perspectives into unified treatment recommendations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. External consultation collaboration — engages subspecialty expert pathologists at reference institutions on diagnostically challenging cases, sharing materials and reasoning transparently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Research team participation — collaborates with basic science and clinical research teams as the pathology domain expert, contributing tissue acquisition, annotation, and histologic interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-institutional collaborative network leadership — leads multi-institutional pathology working groups developing consensus diagnostic criteria for rare or contested disease entities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Translational research partnership — partners with genomics and molecular biology teams to co-design studies linking histologic phenotypes to molecular drivers, advancing precision oncology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interprofessional education collaboration — co-develops and co-delivers interprofessional curricula with clinician educators, training medical students and residents to integrate pathology into clinical reasoning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character11 statements
Emerging
  1. Specimen integrity maintenance — handles all tissue samples with meticulous care, recognizing that misidentification or mishandling directly harms patient safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional boundary respect — acknowledges the limits of personal diagnostic competence and requests supervisory oversight rather than rendering unsupported conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Diagnostic accuracy accountability — documents uncertainty explicitly in pathology reports rather than rendering false certainty, ensuring clinicians can make appropriately informed decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Confidentiality compliance — protects patient diagnostic information in all communications, reports, and institutional discussions in accordance with regulatory and ethical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Error disclosure integrity — reports personal or laboratory diagnostic errors promptly through institutional quality channels without concealment or minimization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical consultation conduct — provides objective diagnostic opinions free from influence by clinical colleagues, institutional pressures, or financial incentives when rendering contested diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Equity in diagnostic rigor — applies the same standard of thoroughness and ancillary testing to all patient specimens regardless of payer status, institutional prestige, or case complexity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional accountability modeling — holds personal diagnostic performance to the highest evidence-based standards and accepts peer review critique constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional ethics leadership — serves on ethics committees addressing diagnostic disclosure, tissue banking consent, and equitable access to molecular diagnostic testing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Whistleblower integrity — escalates systemic laboratory quality failures or unsafe practices through appropriate institutional and regulatory channels despite potential professional consequences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Profession-wide integrity advocacy — contributes to professional society position statements on ethical standards in pathology practice, diagnostic transparency, and conflict-of-interest management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity11 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative stain exploration — proposes use of special histochemical stains beyond routine H&E when standard morphology is insufficient to characterize a lesion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Pattern recognition innovation — develops personal visual mnemonics and pattern libraries to accelerate accurate identification of morphologically similar entities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel ancillary panel design — devises customized immunohistochemical antibody panels for atypical cases where published algorithms do not directly apply Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Teaching case creation — develops novel educational slide sets and case vignettes that illustrate diagnostic pitfalls for resident training programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Workflow process innovation — proposes modifications to specimen processing or triage protocols that improve diagnostic yield or turnaround time for critical specimens Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Diagnostic approach adaptation — develops original interpretive strategies for rare or undescribed neoplasms where published criteria are absent or contradictory Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Translational research design — conceives novel tissue-based research protocols linking morphologic phenotypes to therapeutic biomarkers, advancing personalized medicine approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Educational curriculum innovation — designs creative simulation-based or digital pathology training modules that transform how residents develop microscopic diagnostic competence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Classification system contribution — proposes novel diagnostic criteria or subcategories for disease entities based on original research, contributing to international classification revisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Digital pathology innovation leadership — pioneers implementation of artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis tools integrated with clinical diagnostic workflows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary research creativity — conceives and leads cross-disciplinary research programs combining spatial transcriptomics, digital pathology, and clinical outcomes data to redefine disease taxonomy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset11 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts critical review of preliminary microscopic interpretations from attending pathologists without defensiveness and applies corrections to subsequent cases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Active literature engagement — reads current pathology journals and case reports to build competence in entities not encountered during routine training rotations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Subspecialty stretch — proactively seeks cases in less familiar subspecialty areas such as neuropathology or hematopathology to broaden diagnostic competence beyond primary training focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Conference learning commitment — attends pathology society conferences and workshops to acquire emerging diagnostic techniques such as next-generation sequencing interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Discordance-driven learning — treats cases where personal diagnosis is revised at peer review or multidisciplinary conference as high-value learning opportunities rather than failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emerging technology adoption — acquires competence in new diagnostic modalities such as digital whole-slide imaging, liquid biopsy interpretation, or FISH analysis as they enter clinical practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer review engagement — participates actively in intradepartmental and external peer review programs, viewing external critique as essential for maintaining diagnostic excellence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Continuous competency assessment — voluntarily pursues subspecialty certification examinations and proficiency testing programs to benchmark and advance diagnostic skill Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-shaping learning leadership — chairs continuing medical education programs or professional society educational committees that advance the diagnostic capabilities of the broader pathology community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Failure analysis institutionalization — champions departmental culture where diagnostic misses are systematically analyzed and converted into structured learning experiences for all faculty and trainees Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive expertise demonstration — integrates rapidly evolving molecular diagnostic technologies into clinical practice ahead of field-wide adoption, continuously expanding the diagnostic frontier Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness11 statements
Emerging
  1. Microscopy concentration — maintains sustained focused attention during prolonged slide screening sessions, recognizing fatigue as a risk factor for missed diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation initiation — recognizes personal stress responses when receiving urgent intraoperative consultation requests and applies deliberate calming strategies before rendering diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Diagnostic deliberation — resists time pressure to render rapid diagnoses on morphologically ambiguous cases, applying intentional pause protocols to ensure thorough evaluation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Error-state awareness — notices cognitive warning signs such as distraction or fatigue during high-volume signout sessions and implements self-protective breaks to preserve diagnostic accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Workload mindfulness — monitors personal caseload saturation and communicates proactively with laboratory leadership when volume compromises diagnostic safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Present-moment diagnostic focus — maintains full attentional engagement on individual case details during high-volume signout workflows, preventing cross-case anchoring errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotionally regulated consultation delivery — communicates unexpected malignant diagnoses to clinical colleagues with composed, empathetic professionalism regardless of the interpersonal difficulty of the news Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Intentional second-look practice — builds structured pause-and-reassess steps into personal signout workflow for all cases classified as diagnostically borderline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful leadership modeling — demonstrates and teaches attentional regulation strategies to pathology trainees, embedding mindful diagnostic practice into departmental culture Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic fatigue risk management — advocates for and implements evidence-based workload and scheduling policies that protect diagnostic accuracy across the pathology department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Contemplative diagnostic culture — leads departmental initiatives integrating mindfulness-based practices into quality assurance, reducing cognitive errors linked to inattention and emotional reactivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude11 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic uncertainty tolerance — continues systematic case workup on morphologically ambiguous specimens without abandoning the differential prematurely due to interpretive discomfort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. High-volume workload persistence — maintains diagnostic effort and attention through demanding signout days without compromising thoroughness on later cases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Adverse finding delivery — delivers unexpected malignant diagnoses in direct clinical consultations with composed professionalism, sustaining this over repeated emotionally challenging encounters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer disagreement navigation — defends a well-supported diagnostic interpretation against senior clinical colleague pressure while remaining open to new evidence rather than capitulating to authority Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Challenging case persistence — pursues resolution of diagnostically elusive cases through exhaustive ancillary testing and external consultation rather than defaulting to descriptive diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. High-stakes intraoperative resilience — renders frozen-section diagnoses under operating-room time pressure for cases with immediate surgical consequence, maintaining diagnostic rigor despite urgency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sustained subspecialty depth — maintains expertise across a demanding case mix including rare tumors, infectious diseases, and emerging molecular entities through sustained intellectual effort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Litigation and peer review fortitude — engages objectively in medicolegal case review and institutional quality investigations, sustaining professional composure and intellectual honesty throughout Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. System-level advocacy persistence — sustains multi-year advocacy for laboratory safety improvements, staffing adequacy, or diagnostic equity reforms despite institutional resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis laboratory leadership — leads pathology department response during mass casualty events, pandemic surges, or laboratory system failures, maintaining diagnostic operations under extreme adversity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Career-long excellence sustainability — models sustained diagnostic rigor and professional engagement across a full career, demonstrating that fortitude in pathology is a longitudinal rather than episodic commitment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Anatomic Pathologist · Animal Pathologist · Autopsy Pathologist · Chemical Pathologist · Clinical Pathologist · Cytologist · Cytopathologist · Dermatopathologist · DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician) · Forensic Pathologist · Hematopathologist · Histopathologist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningScienceActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringTime ManagementInstructingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessMathematicsPersuasionNegotiationService OrientationSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationCoordination
Knowledge domains
Medicine and DentistryBiologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceChemistryAdministration and ManagementComputers and Electronics
Abilities
Inductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionNear VisionSpeech ClarityInformation Ordering
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityAttention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityCautiousnessAchievement Orientation
Technology
Accounting softwareMedical softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareBilling and invoicing softwareData base management system softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
  2. Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
  3. Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
  4. Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
  5. Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
  6. Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
  7. Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
  8. Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
CIP education codes
51.120151.120261.020861.050261.180161.180261.180361.180461.180561.180661.180761.180861.180961.181061.181161.181261.181361.181461.181561.1899

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.