Interview
Advanced Trainee, Alison Chandler, has been in the Auckland Region for 4 years and has a passion for anatomical pathology.....
Alison describes a typical week (roster system):
- One day of 'cut-up' or 'grossing' tissue
specimens received into the Surgical Pathology Laboratory
- Several days reporting the microscopy of
assigned histology and cytology specimens
- Performing and reporting fine needle
aspiration cytology
- Preparing and presenting cases at clinical
Multidisciplinary meetings
- Attending 'in-house' teaching sessions
- Protected registrar teaching session every
Friday morning
How do you decide on an Anatomical Pathology pathway?
Training in Anatomical Pathology is an apprenticeship in the
truest sense of the word and the Auckland region provides a
nurturing and stimulating training environment. If you are a keen
and motivated learner who is interested in the pathological basis
of disease then Anatomical Pathology may be for you.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential in
this job as registrars must present cases at clinical meetings,
discuss patients with clinicians, perform fine needle aspiration
cytology on patients, review cases with colleagues and consultants,
and teach other registrars and clinicians. A broad clinical
background is also valuable as registrars deal with specimens from
most medical and surgical specialties. Registrars need to be able
to work well in a team environment, should have a methodical
approach to their work, and the ability to problem solve.
In terms of exams.....
Anatomical Pathology is a 5 year (minimum) training programme
run by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. There are
several rounds of examinations.
The first exam that is usually sat is the Basic Pathological
Sciences exam. Most people sit this exam in their first year of
training or before they begin their training.
The next round of exams is the Part 1, usually sat in the third
year of training. The Part I examination is the major hurdle in the
training programme. Candidates sit written and slide exams in June
and if they pass will proceed to a further slide exam and two oral
examinations in August of the same year.
The part 2 exams are usually sat in the fifth year of training.
Candidates sit a slide exam in June and if they pass will proceed
to a cytology exam and two oral examinations in August of the same
year.
Before Fellowship is awarded candidates must also complete a
Forensic examination (held during their Forensic run) and a Case
Book of eight publication standard cases.
Study for these exams is completed outside normal working hours
and requires dedication, commitment and motivation.