Clinical pathology rotations are designed to train residents to work with
clinicians as effective consultants. The program in clinical pathology can be
completed as part of a combined program (AP/CP) over 4 years or as a dedicated
clinical pathology program consisting of 3 years of comprehensive training.
By working closely with pathologists and
laboratory directors, residents become proficient in all aspects of medical
laboratory testing, from overseeing the ordering of the appropriate tests in a given
clinical situation to interpreting these results.
During each rotation, residents are responsible for developing and improving recommendations
for testing in a particular area. This includes discussion with faculty
and clinicians, review of the relevant literature, selection of the appropriate tests and
production and interpretation of the final report. The residents acquire increasing responsibility for
developing, maintaining, and utilizing a clinical database.
Under the guidance of the laboratory section supervisors, residents learn the
many facets of laboratory testing which include exposure to laboratory management, instrument selection,
budgeting, proficiency testing, laboratory inspection and certification and quality control/quality assurance.
Communication skills are honed by presentations in laboratory conferences and journal clubs,
with feedback in the form of written critiques. Computers are available to access clinical databases
and libraries, and for graphics preparation. During an advanced specialty elective rotation,
residents are usually expected to write a paper on some aspect of test utilization or delivery.
The residents are introduced to clinical pathology via core rotations in all laboratory sections,
including transfusion medicine/blood banking coagulation, immunology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and
molecular diagnostics and hematopathology.
All clinical pathology residents rotate on-call responsibilities for the entire laboratory
for one week at a time. Residents are also encouraged to return for advanced rotations of 3 to 12 months.
Opportunities for developmental research include collaborative projects with Department of
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine faculty, as well as investigators from clinical and basic
science departments at Emory University and from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
UNIVERSITY BENEFITS: Annual compensation for residents is in accordance
with the compensation schedule that is in effect on July 1 of the year
for which the resident is appointed and will be discussed at interview.
All full-time residents receive 20 calendar days of compensation leave
per year: 15 vacation; 5 professional leave to attend conferences. Full-time
residents may have up to 12 days of sick leave with
pay during the one-year contract period. This leave can be used for personal
illness, disability, or injury, including disability due to delivery,
medical, dental, or optical appointments. Family leave is also available.
Certain benefits also apply for those with a domestic partner. Departmental
benefits will be discussed at time of interview. Uniform and laundry of
uniforms are provided to the residents free of charge. Full-time salaried
residents are provided with complete health care coverage at no cost.
Family coverage on a payroll deduction is optional. Life insurance is
provided at no cost to the resident. Personal disability coverage is furnished.
Professional liability coverage is provided at no cost for residents who
are working in Emory Affiliated Hospitals under the auspices of the training
program. Parking facilities are available at a reasonable cost.