ASCP Brings You Tools for Success

Resident Online Education

ASCP offers an extensive library of online education products that are easy to use, accessible 24/7, and affordable. Many of these products are case-based with images and multiple choice questions.

Resident Question Bank

The Resident Question Bank is ASCP's new, comprehensive online, self-assessment and educational tool specifically designed for residents. It gives you access to hundreds of case-based multiple choice questions, including images, educational feedback and references. With this new tool, residents can sort and organize questions quickly and easily in whatever combination they wish to maximize their learning. In addition, questions will be grouped into modules, allowing residents and their programs to validate learning objectives, and produce a certificate of participation.   

Lab Management University (LMU)

LMU is ASCP's self paced, online certificate program that offers the most complete training resources in laboratory management.

LMU and the Resident Question Bank are included in the RISE PLUS product offering.

Residency Program Education Resources

As part of your residency program training, ASCP has developed a set of educational resources that are available to all programs. Typically, your Residency Program Director will evaluate the various RISE products and purchase those products as part of your program year.

ASCP's RISE line of products helps residents to assess and track their training progress and medical knowledge. In addition, it helps program directors in evaluating the training program curriculum.

Please check with your Residency Program Director to ensure that your program is taking advantage of the educational tools available to help you achieve success during your residency.

2023 In-Service Committee and Contributors

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ASCP Educational Meetings & Products

ASCP offers an array of educational products that offer pathologists opportunities to learn in face-to-face meetings. These products have been developed to meet the educational needs of adult learners, and allows pathologists to choose their preferred learning format.

Live Events

• ASCP Educational Courses range from 2.5 to 5 days and are held in destinations across the country. ASCP Educational Courses allow pathologists the unique opportunity to spend extended time on one topic area in close association with the expert faculty. Everyday challenges, pitfalls, diagnostic dilemmas and cutting-edge technologies are addressed with interactive and personalized instruction, including extended microscopy sessions with an extensive collection of histologic slides and problem cases.

• Pathology Update provides residents with a mix of surgical, cytologic and molecular topics

Learn More About Live Events

ASCP Press

ASCP offers a wealth of books on a wide variety of topics relevant to pathology and laboratory medicine. Comprehensive and informative, ASCP Press books offer the best quality and value.

Books

Authored by leading educators and recognized researchers, ASCP books present indispensable information. From comprehensive reference texts to illustrated atlases, every book provides extensive coverage on scientific advances that are critical and timely.

Purchase Books

eBooks

ASCP eBooks have enhanced features that make accessing study materials online quick and convenient. Sold as stand-alone texts or products that integrate with existing hard copies, these digital texts provide knowledge with added functionality.

Browse eBooks

 

Explore Fellowships Early

Fellowships are a crucial opportunity to hone your craft and build a strong network of colleagues and mentors. Fellowships can be an opportunity to establish a professional base in the city in which you may ultimately want to practice.

• Find and research your dream fellowship.

  • Read the fellowship description on the program's website.

  • Research the fellowship online.

  • Talk with former fellows or residents at the institution who are familiar with the fellowship.

• Network and build relationships with pathologists in your program, local area, and subspecialty area, as well as your colleagues and peers. You will learn more about opportunities, increase your exposure and provide more information for faculty to improve your letters of recommendation.

• Read through the annual ASCP Fellowship & Job Market Survey. The survey provides information for pathology trainees, residency and fellowship program directors, and prospective employers.

Share Your Research

• Submit abstracts/posters to ASCP Annual Meeting and present platforms/talks.
• Publish scholarly journal articles and submit your case reports to LabQ and Case Studies.

 

Tips for Applying

• Some programs require a previous onsite rotation before you can be considered for a fellowship application or interview.
• Consider programs that offer multiple desirable fellowships. As many fellowships are filled by internal candidates, picking a fellowship in a program that also offers other desirable fellowships may you give you an advantage.
• Time your rotation during the fellowship interview period. If you rotate during the fellowship interview period, you may be able to interview at the end of your rotation.
• Note each program's timelines and deadlines. Unlike residency programs, most pathology fellowships do not utilize a match system. Timelines will vary from program to program and also between fellowships at the same institution.
• If you are applying for a position that begins immediately after a four-year pathology residency, you should submit your application early in the PGY3 year (summer or fall).  Interviews will be held in the fall and winter with decisions finalized by spring.
• Ask a fellowship director how many years in advance their fellowship fills, and which academic years are currently full or open.

Standardized Fellowship Applications

The basic fellowship application includes a CV, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has developed a standardized pathology fellowship application and a list of programs that have agreed to accept this standard application. 

Preparing for the Interview

• After interviewing for your pathology residency, this part should feel quite familiar. Many of the same preparations you made for your residency apply when interviewing for fellowships.

For Your Interview

• Dress conservatively.
• Be knowledgeable about the program, and its strengths and weaknesses.
• Before the interview, research your interviewers and their work.
• Have a list of questions ready. Asking good questions not only demonstrates your knowledge and preparation, it shows your sincere interest in the program and keeps interviewers engaged.
• Build confidence by preparing advance answers to questions you can anticipate being asked.

After the Interview

• Write a thank you email the same day as the interview, if possible. Prepare a basic template that you can personalize and email from the airport as you are preparing to return home. Not following up may come across as a sign that you are not interested.
• Mail a separate thank you letter within a day or two of your interview.
• After you have completed all of your interviews, you will know which program is the front runner. If it feels appropriate, consider letting that program know they are your first choice.

Managing an Offer

As there is no official match system and programs do not follow a strict fellowship application process schedule, residents often get offers prior to completing their interviews. Managing an offer while continuing to interview can be tricky. The guidelines below will help you navigate this situation.

• Politely explain that you would like the opportunity to complete all of your scheduled interviews to make a well-rounded decision.
• Contact your prospective institutions and explain that you have received an offer, but would like the opportunity to interview with them prior to making a commitment. You should also let them know your timeline for responding to an offer. This may inspire a program to offer you an interview more expediently.
• Remain aware of the timeframe in which your program requests a response. Some programs will grant a period of weeks to reply with your decision, while other programs will pressure you for a response in a matter of days or even 24 hours.
• Make sure you reply to an offering program within the agreed timeframe.

Craft Your CV

Compile and create a CV that sets you apart from your peers, showcasing your achievements and experience in a clean, professional format.

Keep Your Formatting Clean

• Use a simple serif font for a more professional look
• Make sure the font size is easily readable

Organize Your Information

• Highlight your most information by placing it first, or higher up in a list.
  • Education
  • Honors/awards
  • Special skills/experiences
• Summarize information and only include most relevant facts.
  • Training
  • Papers
  • Abstracts
  • Professional Organizations
  • Leadership Role

Review and Edit

• Have mentors critique your CV for additional feedback
• Always proofread multiple times before submitting

Asking for Letters of Recommendations

Strong references and letters of recommendations play a vital role in the decision-making processes for both employment and fellowship opportunities. Follow these tips to receive the references and recommendations that fully demonstrate your hard work.

Ask for references from individuals who know you well and will write you a positive letter.

• Give your references at least four weeks to write your letters, and be clear about deadlines when you ask. If a few weeks have passed without hearing anything, politely remind them. Your application review may be delayed until your application is complete.
• Once they have agreed to serve as a reference or write a letter of recommendation, email them your career goals and interests.
  • Describe instances where you successfully collaborated with the letter writer, and note any accomplishments.
  • Be detailed, but concise. The more concrete information you provide, the better your letter will be.
• Ask that the letter or reference feature experiences relevant to the job to which you are applying.
• Provide references with your CV, cover letter and a summary of your experiences/projects.

 

Maximizing Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the best opportunity to explain the qualifications you can't fully detail in your CV.

Tips, Strategies and Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Create your cover letter from a base template rather than updating a previous letter. This will help you avoid accidental overlap between letters. Find a sample cover letter to get started.
• Be truthful and concise, letting your credentials speak for themselves. Avoid the temptation to oversell.
• Use a professional voice throughout. Fell free to convey your enthusiasm, but avoid an overly ecstatic tone.
• Try reading your cover letter aloud to ensure that it reads well.
• Ask a colleague or mentor to read your letter and offer feedback.
• Proofread carefully. Use Spell Check and Grammar Check, but don't rely on these tools to catch every error.
• Finally, double check the date, address and salutation, ensuring that your letter is addressed to the correct person and institution.

Master the Personal Statement and Job Talk

Some positions require both a personal statement and a job talk, and most academic jobs will require both. Here are a few tips to help get you started on your statement and job talk.

The Personal Statement

Your personal statement should be limited to one page, and it should describe how you and your interests and experience align with the position and the with institution's overarching goals.

Each personal statement you submit should be customized to each program or job to which you are applying.  Include specific details that reflect the research you have done, as well as demonstrating your commitment to the position.

Organizing Your Personal Statement

While personal statements can take many forms, in general, a three paragraph format works well.

• The first paragraph serves as your introduction. Write about yourself, and how you came to choose your subspecialty.

• The second paragraph is an opportunity to advocate for yourself, showcasing the skills and experience you bring to the table, and outlining why you are the best candidate.

• The third paragraph should answer the questions, "Why do I want this job or program?" In this paragraph you should describe the elements you are looking for in a position and describe how this opportunity meets those elements.

Circulate your rough draft to your attending physicians, mentors, and senior fellows who have already matched. Ask for and incorporate their feedback.

Expert Advice for Your Search

Take it from your fellow resident colleagues, these are tried and true methods to hitting the pavement and finding the right path for you.

Network Early and Proactively

• Become involved in specialty and subspecialty organizations, and make sure you are on their mailing lists.
• Utilize word-of-mouth and seek out colleagues to learn about positions that may not be advertised, or might not yet be posted.
• Talk to you Program Director and networking contacts to see if they have heard of any positions, and if they would send emails or make calls on your behalf.
• Register to receive email job alerts
• Post your resume online.

Plan Ahead

• Make sure to plan for interview time in the last 12-18 months of training. This can be a demanding experience, requiring days for preparation, travel, and the interview itself.
• Be aware that some academic positions will be posted as early as the preceding summer or fall for a following summer start date. Other positions will not be posted until after January or early spring.
• Starting your job search early has the advantage of locking down a position early. However, you may feel urgency taking a job before a more promising option is even posted.
• Even if your feel you already have an ideal job situation, it is in your best interest to interview at other institutions to see the range of options available.

 

Join A Committee and Grow Professionally

ASCP offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and invites members who want to become involved with the organization to consider serving on one of our committees or councils. 

Governance and Member Councils

ASCP governing committees oversee many operational aspects of the Society. From membership to scholarship reviews, these committees are comprised of members dedicated to fostering ASCP's mission through volunteer service. Consider applying for a seat on the Resident Council. 

ASCP Product Development Committees

The Commission of Continuing Professional Development (CCPD) oversees the operational aspects of ASCP products and services. From developing innovative products to identifying new directions for education, these committees are comprised of members dedicated to creating engaging content.

Discover Opportunities

Spread the Word

The medical laboratory team makes significant contributions to the delivery of quality patient care. ASCP is the only society that represents pathologists, laboratory professionals and residents. ASCP recognizes these efforts by raising awareness for the public, other allied health professional and fellow colleagues in the lab. 

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (Lab Week)

Lab Week showcases the importance of the work of the medical laboratory profession. By getting the word out to local communities, healthcare colleagues and other networks, ASCP members help everyone appreciate the importance of the value of the lab. 

Learn More About Lab Week

ASCP Member Week

ASCP Member Week celebrates the dedication and accomplishment of pathologists and laboratory professionals. Member Week is also an opportunity for ASCP to recognize and reward our members who volunteer their time and efforts to govern, publish, teach, and advocate for laboratory medicine.

Learn More About Member Week

ASCP Policy Efforts

ASCP is proactive at identifying and developing programs and special efforts that advocate for members through policy statements.

Each year ASCP identifies issues as it Patient-Centered Policy Priorities (PCPPs). These priorities represent a patient-centered agenda that will be advanced throughout the organization. ASCP is committed to developing public policies that not only improve the public's health through the practice of laboratory medicine, but also represents the interests of its membership.

Learn More About ASCP Efforts

Choosing Wisely + ASCP

ASCP is proud to join the ABIM Foundation in the Choosing Wisely Campaign to reduce waste in the healthcare system. As one of 70 medical societies in the campaign, ASCP is the only society representing pathology and laboratory medicine. Our goal is to identify the right test at the right time for the right cost to better serve our patients. 

As part of our ongoing effort to collaborate in the interest of patients, ASCP will focus on appropriate test utilization for the next several years.

Learn More About Choosing Wisely

Supporting Public Health Worldwide 

ASCP's Center for Global Health oversees initiatives around the world that make significant contributions to public health. Working closely with its CDC partners as well as local Ministries of Health, higher education institutions and national reference laboratories, the Center for Global Health determines a country's needs and then creates collaborative, sustainable healthcare solutions. 

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Center for Global Health has assisted 29 countries to improve laboratory quality and build a skilled laboratory workforce, including the improvement of diagnosis, care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. A full range of activities encompass hands-on technical trainings, as well as consultations in the revision of university curricula, faculty training, quality systems consultation and mentorship, strategic planning, policy development and laboratory accreditation.

Learn about PEPFAR and Other Initiatives 

ASCP Patient Champions

The ASCP Patient Champions program raises awareness of the vital role the medical laboratory plays in patient care through highlighting real-life stories of patients. By sharing their stories, Patient Champions empower new patients to ask the right questions and understand their diagnosis, management and potential treatment options.

Pathologists and laboratory professionals can participate in the program by nominating a Patient Champion or applying to be a Patient Champion themselves.

Learn About ASCP Patient Champions

What is Career Ambassador 2.0

ASCP Career Ambassador 2.0 operates as a network of laboratory professionals, pathologists and resident members to introduce to students in high school and middle school opportunities for science careers, specifically in the medical lab. Ambassadors make presentations locally about fulfilling careers in the laboratory sciences.

ASCP has the tools and resources available to help you get started as a Career Ambassador.

Learn How to Get Started

Partners for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Africa

Cancer is a critical public health problem in Africa, and ASCP’s collaborative diagnostic and treatment initiative utilizes the latest technology to ensure that clinicians and laboratory professionals can communicate quickly to provide remote diagnostic cancer care. 

The Challenge

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa with cancer at the forefront. Cancers diagnosed in Africa are associated with a higher mortality than other regions of the world due to limited availability of screening, laboratories and pathologists. This results in the majority of cancers not being diagnosed until they reach an advanced stage. 

The Solution

By leveraging leapfrog technology and the skills and experience of ASCP members, clinicians in Sub-Saharan Africa can have access to quality real-time diagnostics. This allows physicians and clinicians in Sub-Saharan Africa to consult with pathologists in the U.S. to provide a level of diagnostic cancer care that is usually scarce or unavailable. Thanks to an ASCP-led coalition, this technology is already in use, and it provides seamless interaction, management and secure access to pathology and laboratory clinical multimedia, including digital whole slide images. 

Learn More Now