About this role
Job Title: Junior Consultant – Pathology
Department: Pathology / Laboratory Medicine
Job Type: Full-time
Job Function: Clinical / Diagnostic Services
Reporting To: Senior Consultant / Head of Department – Pathology
Job Location: Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center
Experience: Relevant experience in Pathology / Laboratory Medicine preferred
Qualification: MD / DNB in Pathology or equivalent recognized qualification
Industry: Healthcare / Hospitals / Diagnostic Services
Diagnostic Responsibilities
- Perform and interpret histopathology, cytology, hematology, and clinical pathology investigations within the scope of practice.
- Examine biopsy, surgical, excision, FNAC, fluid, and other pathological specimens.
- Provide accurate, timely, and clinically relevant diagnostic opinions.
- Correlate pathological findings with clinical history, imaging, laboratory investigations, and previous pathology reports.
- Identify complex or challenging cases and seek appropriate senior consultation when required.
2. Histopathology & Cytopathology
- Review and interpret routine H&E-stained sections and assess tissue architecture and cellular morphology.
- Evaluate inflammatory, infectious, benign, premalignant, and malignant conditions.
- Assess relevant pathological parameters such as tumor type, grade, margins, and other applicable features.
- Interpret FNAC, exfoliative cytology, body-fluid cytology, and other cytological specimens.
- Recommend additional sections, special stains, IHC, or histopathological correlation wherever clinically indicated.
3. Reporting & Documentation
- Prepare accurate, comprehensive, and clinically relevant pathology reports based on microscopic findings and available clinical information.
- Ensure reports are clear, standardized, and completed within the defined turnaround time.
- Review and verify patient identification, specimen details, clinical history, gross findings, microscopic findings, and relevant investigation results before report authorization.
- Include appropriate diagnostic conclusions, comments, recommendations, and relevant prognostic/predictive parameters where applicable.
- Review previous pathology reports, investigations, and clinical information when required for appropriate diagnostic correlation.
- Ensure appropriate documentation of critical, amended, corrected, or supplementary reports .
- Maintain accurate records of diagnostic findings, case discussions, consultations, and report amendments.
- Authorize and release reports through the approved Laboratory Information System (LIS)/electronic medical-record system as per institutional policy.
- Ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and security of all patient and diagnostic information.
4. Special Stains & Immunohistochemistry
- Identify cases requiring special stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC), or other ancillary investigations .
- Select appropriate tests based on morphology and clinical information.
- Interpret ancillary test results in conjunction with histopathological findings.
- Ensure appropriate controls and quality standards are maintained for IHC and special stains.
5. Critical Result Communication
- Identify critical, unexpected, or clinically significant pathological findings.
- Communicate critical findings promptly to the treating clinician or concerned healthcare professional.
- Document critical-result communication in accordance with departmental policy.
- Escalate uncertain, complex, or clinically significant cases to the Senior Consultant/Head of Department.
6. Clinical & Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Participate in tumor boards, multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and clinical discussions .
- Provide pathology inputs to clinicians and other specialists to support patient management.
- Collaborate with physicians, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Provide clarification regarding pathology reports and diagnostic findings when requested by the clinical team.
7. Specimen & Laboratory Management
- Ensure proper specimen identification, labeling, fixation, processing, sampling, and documentation .
- Maintain specimen traceability throughout the diagnostic process.
- Identify and appropriately manage inadequate, unsuitable, mislabeled, or compromised specimens as per SOPs.
- Coordinate with laboratory technicians and technologists to ensure appropriate processing and timely availability of slides and investigations.
8. Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Participate in quality-control, quality-assurance, internal audits, external quality programs, and continuous improvement initiatives .
- Monitor diagnostic discrepancies and participate in appropriate case reviews.
- Follow departmental SOPs and institutional policies.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laboratory, biosafety, infection-control, patient-safety, and accreditation requirements.
- Participate in corrective and preventive actions wherever required.
9. Team Coordination & Training
- Coordinate with pathology residents, laboratory technicians, technologists, and other departmental personnel.
- Provide guidance on diagnostic, specimen-related, and technical issues within the scope of responsibility.
- Participate in teaching, case discussions, slide reviews, academic meetings, and departmental training programs.
- Support the development and competency of junior staff and trainees.
10. Academic & Research Responsibilities
- Participate in research projects, clinical audits, case reports, publications, presentations, and academic activities .
- Present interesting and challenging cases during departmental meetings and multidisciplinary discussions.
- Participate in CME programs, conferences, workshops, and professional-development activities.
- Stay updated with advances in diagnostic pathology, IHC, molecular pathology, digital pathology, and current diagnostic guidelines.
11. Laboratory Information System & Records
- Use the Laboratory Information System (LIS) and electronic medical-record systems accurately and effectively.
- Ensure timely entry, review, authorization, and release of pathology reports.
- Maintain complete and accurate diagnostic records.
- Ensure proper documentation and traceability of slides, blocks, reports, and other pathology records.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with institutional data-security requirements.
12. Patient Safety & Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain high standards of diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, confidentiality, and professional ethics .
- Ensure timely escalation of findings or issues that may have an impact on patient care.
- Adhere to organizational policies, professional standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to improving the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of pathology services.
- Maintain continuous professional development and remain updated with advances in pathology and laboratory medicine.