Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

Over the past several years, Program and Department leadership have worked to develop the most comprehensive approach to education in all areas of sub-specialized clinical pathology. This resulted in four integrated, 12-week blocks in the PGY 2 year encompassing all clinical pathology topics. Advanced exposure to certain topics is required in the PGY 3 and/or 4 and the Program requires completion of module-based curriculum in the areas of Pathology Informatics and Lab Management to support/supplement in-person training.

3 (12 weeks) Red Thread
3 (12 weeks) Blue Service
3 (12 weeks) Green Service
3 (12 weeks) Yellow Service

1 Senior Hematopathology
1 Senior Blood Bank
1 Senior Molecular
1 Stem Cell Lab
1 Lab Management
1 Clin Informatics

Total CP 18

4 (1 block/4 weeks per year) Vacation
8 Electives

Weeks on Call

• PGY 1 (AP), 6–8 weeks
• PGY 2–4, 2–5 weeks

Integrated "Thread" Descriptions

Red Thread: Transfusion Medicine; Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics; Therapeutic Apheresis

Green Thread: Clinical Genomics/Molecular Genetics; Clinical Cytogenetics/Cytogenomics; Clinical Chemistry; Toxicology/Therapeutic Drug Monitoring; Clinical Mass Spectrometry

Blue Thread: Hematopathology; Coagulation and Hemostasis; Laboratory Hematology (including non-malignant); Bone Marrow; Flow Cytometry

Yellow Thread: Microbiology and Virology; Molecular Microbiology; Diagnostic Immunology/Serology

Senior Blood Bank: Junior attending-level responsibilities on Transfusion Medicine service

Senior Hematopathology: Junior attending-level responsibilities on UCSD Hematopathology Service

Senior Molecular: Junior attending-level responsibilities in Molecular Genetics/Clinical Genomics Lab

Stem Cell Lab: The UCSD SCPL receives, processes, and distributes bone marrow, apheresis, cord blood, and CAR-T cells, as well as some experimental minimally manipulated cellular products. This rotation will provide direct experience observing these processes and interacting with bone marrow transplant physicians and coordinators in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. In the daily observation of SCPL workflow, residents will provide consultation, review deviation reports, investigate adverse reactions, learn AABB and FACT accreditation guidelines, observe red cell and plasma reduction processes, assess engraftment after transplant, and gain an understanding of the principles of cellular therapy.

Lab Management/Clinical Informatics: Typically, an 8-week longitudinal rotation with Dr. Jessica Wang-Rodriguez, Chief of Pathology, VA San Diego. This rotation often results in a quality assurance/improvement project and a greater understanding health administration.