Position Summary
The Pathologist provides diagnostic, consultative, and laboratory medicine services to support high-quality patient care across the healthcare system. Responsibilities may include anatomic pathology services, such as surgical pathology, cytopathology, and autopsy pathology, and/or clinical pathology services, including laboratory medicine, clinical laboratory interpretation, and diagnostic testing oversight, based on the physician’s training, expertise, and assigned area of practice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide diagnostic pathology and laboratory medicine services consistent with the physician’s training, qualifications, clinical expertise, and assigned responsibilities.
- Examine, interpret, and report surgical pathology, cytopathology, autopsy, and other tissue or cellular specimens, as applicable to the area of practice.
- Interpret clinical laboratory data and diagnostic testing results, provide consultation regarding laboratory findings, and support appropriate test utilization, as applicable to clinical pathology responsibilities.
- Perform and interpret gross and microscopic examinations of tissue specimens and utilize ancillary diagnostic techniques, including immunohistochemistry, special stains, molecular diagnostics, and other specialized testing, as appropriate.
- Oversee or support clinical laboratory operations, diagnostic testing processes, test validation, quality assurance, and laboratory performance, as applicable to assigned responsibilities.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and laboratory standards.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and timely medical records, diagnostic reports, laboratory documentation, and other required clinical records.
- Participate in quality assurance, quality improvement, utilization management, and laboratory performance initiatives, as appropriate to the role.
- Participate in clinical service coverage, call responsibilities, and other departmental duties in accordance with organizational and programmatic needs.
- Additional responsibilities may include laboratory medical direction, participation in multidisciplinary conferences, medical education, research, scholarly activities, and departmental or institutional leadership, depending on the needs of the organization and the scope of the position.
Qualifications
Education
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution.
Training
Completion of an accredited residency program in Anatomic Pathology (AP), Clinical Pathology (CP), or combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP), appropriate to the position.
Fellowship training in a relevant pathology subspecialty may be required for certain positions or areas of clinical practice.
Certifications and Licensure
- Board certification or board eligibility, as applicable, in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology through the American Board of Pathology.
Ability to obtain and maintain required medical staff privileges, institutional credentials, and other applicable certifications.
Maintenance of applicable continuing medical education and professional certification requirements.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of diagnostic pathology principles, disease processes, and contemporary diagnostic methodologies relevant to the assigned area of practice.
Proficiency in histopathologic interpretation, cytopathology, clinical laboratory interpretation, or other relevant diagnostic disciplines, as appropriate to the position.
- Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Understanding of laboratory quality management, patient safety, regulatory compliance, accreditation standards, and laboratory operations.
Ability to interpret and communicate diagnostic findings and laboratory results accurately, clearly, and in a timely manner.
Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, laboratory professionals, multidisciplinary care teams, and institutional stakeholders.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform prolonged microscope work, computer-based diagnostic activities, and other tasks associated with pathology and laboratory medicine practice.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
- Ability to meet institutional requirements for clinical practice, credentialing, and patient care.
Reporting Relationship
Reports to the Division Director, Department Chair, Medical Director, or other designated departmental or institutional leader, as determined by the organizational structure and assigned area of practice.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a pathology laboratory, hospital, academic medical center, or healthcare setting. The position requires adherence to laboratory safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements.