The Changing Landscape of Pathology Recruitment

The field of pathology is experiencing a significant shift in its job market. With an increasing demand for pathologists and a shortage of qualified professionals, the industry is facing a unique set of challenges. This article explores the current trends in pathology recruitment and the potential solutions to address these challenges.

Increasing Demand and Shortage of Pathologists

According to PathologyOutlines.com, the number of open pathology positions in the United States has more than doubled in recent years, from 351 to 752. This increase is driven by factors such as an aging population and a lack of exposure to pathology in medical schools. A paper co-written by Dr. Edward Fody predicts a deficit of over 5,700 full-time equivalent (FTE) pathologists by 2030 due to population growth and increased disease prevalence.

The Role of Medical Schools

Medical schools play a crucial role in shaping the future of the pathology job market. However, many of these institutions do not require rotations in pathology, leading to a lack of exposure for medical students. This lack of exposure and the potential shortage of pathologists may result in non-pathologists filling the gap in the future.

The Impact of Retirements

Many academic pathologists are reaching retirement age, and pandemic-related stresses may have pushed them to retire earlier. The pool of new pathologists does not change quickly, so if retirements occur sooner, a persistent shortage is likely.

Connexis Search Group: A Different Approach to Pathology Recruitment

At Connexis Search Group, we take a different approach to pathology recruitment. We have a database of 28,000 pathologists that we have been talking to for 22 years. As a result, we usually have their contact information, including their cell phone and email address, so we contact them directly and talking to them about opportunities that would be exciting to them. Instead of pitching a job to them, we are calling to ask them what types of positions would be of interest. Once we know what they're interested in, then we can proceed and match them with the best client or opportunity that we have.

Many companies that try to do their own recruiting struggle since the internal recruiters only have one opportunity to present and sometimes the candidates have a preconceived notion that that place of employment may not be the best for them. Doing it our way gives us the opportunity to engage in conversation with the pathologist and make them feel important and that we have their best interest in mind. In other words, we're not just trying to jam them into an open position that we have. We take care of both our client and our candidates, which are the pathologists, by making sure they are both a good fit for one another.

Conclusion

The pathology job market is currently facing a shortage of qualified candidates. Factors such as an aging population, a lack of exposure to pathology in medical schools, and the specialization of training programs contribute to this shortage. It is crucial for stakeholders in the field to find innovative solutions to attract and retain pathologists to meet the increasing demand.

At Connexis Search Group, we understand these challenges and are committed to connecting our clients with exceptional talent in the diagnostics industry. With over 22 years of experience, we ensure our clients hire the best possible candidates to drive their success.

What are your thoughts on the current trends in pathology recruitment? How do you think these trends will shape the future of the industry?

Footnotes

1. Pathology Job Market Struggling to Meet Increasing Demand