Ascension St. John Hospital Microbology

Pathology residents receive training in Medical Microbiology during a five 4-week block rotation designed to provide an understanding of clinical bacteriology (aerobic and anaerobic), mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology, under the supervision of a pathologist with subspecialty certification in medical microbiology.

During the first two 4-week blocks of the rotation, the resident spends time at the bench with the medical technologists where he/she is introduced to the basic techniques and methods used to work-up a variety of clinical specimens. This experience is meant to provide the resident with the necessary background for further study during the remainder of the rotation. As the resident achieves competency in the initial skill level, he/she assumes gradual responsibility in the last three 4-week blocks of the rotation through independent study in the area of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. The resident also spends at least three hours per week during the rotation with the Laboratory Director on a one-on-one basis. This time is meant for an in-depth review of clinical microbiology, and is accomplished through detailed textbook and journal reviews, discussion of interesting and/or unusual cases, and didactic lectures given by the Laboratory Director.   During the last half of the rotation, the resident is given the opportunity to rotate through those areas of the Laboratory of his/her choice in order to supplement and consolidate the earlier experience, work-up additional specimen unknowns, ASCP check samples, and ASCP check-path unknowns.