ASPIRE Module: Clinical Laboratory Medicine

Applications due December 13!

Home About the Module Time Commitment Earn a badge!

Home

This module is offered in the Spring

Clinical Laboratory Medicine is an area of Pathology dedicated to the laboratory analysis of patient specimens to diagnose/treat human diseases. Its various sub-disciplines include Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry/Toxicology, Molecular Genetics, and Immunopathology. Each field requires broad medical knowledge, a combination of classic and cutting-edge technology, and management skills to ensure consistent quality and regulatory compliance. Notably, the Medical Directors of clinical laboratories include both MD-trained Pathologists and PhD-trained scientists, with different accreditation/licensure mechanisms for each group and discipline.

This Module will provide an overview of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, with particular emphasis on Clinical Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry/Toxicology, along with additional opportunities for exposure in Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics.

This module is capped at 5 participants.

About the Module

Module Objectives:

Provide a practical introduction to Clinical Laboratory Medicine for PhD students, including the duties of Medical Directors in the various sub-disciplines and the respective training pathways
Students will better understand the role of these practitioners and learn what steps they may take to become one.

Module dates and times: Starts January 2022, exact meeting times to be set by trainee.

Instructors: Jonathan Schmitz, MD, PhD, D(ABMM), Medical Director – Molecular Infectious Diseases Laboratory; Joe Wiencek, PhD, DABCC Clinical Chemistry Laboratory; Ferrin Wheeler, PhD, Medical Director – Cytogenetics

Module structure: Activities will include:

[1] practical didactic sessions

[2] clinical laboratory bench rounds, during which we trouble-shoot emergent laboratory issues with medical technologists;

[3] participation in the services’ Diagnostic Management Teams, through which we provide consultative services to managing physicians.

Cost: No cost to PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences or chemistry.

Eligibility: Open to Vanderbilt biomedical sciences and chemistry postdoctoral fellows and PhD students who have passed their qualifying exams before January 2022.

Questions: Please contact Angela Zito (angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu), Program Manager, BRET Office of Career Development

Time Commitment

Following an introductory presentation, Clinical Laboratory tour, and HIPPA training, participants will spend ~2 hours per week for 5 weeks with these clinical services. For interested individuals, the possibility will exist to extend their participation beyond 5 weeks (pending overall interest and research mentor approval).

Attendance Policy

Because the course is a limited enrollment opportunity, course participants need to attend all sessions and participate fully. Participants should discuss time away from the lab with their research advisor in advance of the course. Anticipated absences, such as for scientific conferences, should be discussed with the course director.

Earn a badge!

ASPIRE is awarding micro-credentials through Badgr! See the webpage for more details.

EARNING CRITERIA

Recipients must complete the earning criteria to earn this Badge:

Complete HIPAA training
Attend an introductory didactic session to participate in a discussion about the clinical laboratory medicine subspecialties and the career path to becoming a medical director of a diagnostic laboratory, including the board certification process and specialty fellowships.
Complete an externship, spending up to 2 hours per week for 5 weeks shadowing a medical director during laboratory bench rounds and participating in the services' Diagnostic Management Team, which provides consultative services to managing physicians.