Length: one 2-month rotation
The Molecular Pathology rotation comprises approximately two week sessions in the four following labs: Histocompatibility (HLA), Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics (including Molecular Oncology relevant to both hematopoietic and solid tumors as well as genetic tests), and Molecular Infectious Diseases. These four labs comprise the Genetics and Cytometry Laboratory (GCL) of TriCore Reference Laboratories. The GCL serves the hospitals of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Centers and Presbyterian Medical Services, along with regional clients of TriCore within New Mexico, and a number of national referral clients. The resident will receive didactic sessions in molecular theory and testing, reading assignments, and prior and current case studies to review and interpret. The resident will engage in hands-on experience with assay techniques with the testing personnel. The resident will participate in daily sign-out of cases with the respective laboratory director. Raw data for tests are reviewed, available history and clinical data are considered, clinicians are consulted, and the literature is examined as necessary to develop a diagnosis and interpretive report. The resident will become familiar with informatic issues, quality assurance, quality control, quality improvement, and ethical issues as they relate to molecular pathology, along with exposure to the various regulatory agencies and requirements that impact the molecular laboratory. Residents will attend available teleconferences and lecture series, weekly staff meetings, and meetings with clients. The laboratory validates new assays and participates in a number of proficiency tests and the resident will become involved in these processes when possible. Residents are included, rather than excluded when important personnel matters are discussed by the director and laboratory manager. Residents also engage themselves in teaching the technicians and working on short term research projects. In addition, there is close interaction including learning opportunities through close interaction between residents and 2 molecular genetic pathology fellows.
