O*NET-SOC 29-1222.00

Physicians, Pathologists

Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.2508/2020
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2020
Writing2.A.1.c4.1208/2020
Active Learning2.A.2.b4.008/2020
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2020
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i4.008/2020

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.7508/2020
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.3808/2020
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.2508/2020
Written Expression1.A.1.a.44.2508/2020
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.1208/2020
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.1208/2020

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.Core8108/2020
Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.Core8108/2020
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.Core8008/2020
Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.Core8108/2020
Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.Core8108/2020

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Investigative7.011/2023
Realistic5.3611/2023
Conventional4.5711/2023
Social3.4611/2023
Enterprising1.411/2023
Artistic1.211/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.