Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine Curriculum

Clinical Pathology

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 
PGY 2-4  2-5 

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.

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.