Consultant Pathologist

Role: Consultant

Department: Customer Success (Operations)

Reporting To: Laboratory Director

Role Definition:

The Consultant is responsible for ensuring high-quality diagnostic reporting, end-to-end technical supervision, adherence to NABL/ISO standards, and timely clinical correlation with Clinicians. The role involves oversight of pre-analytical to post-analytical processes, technical staff training, equipment calibration validation, and ensuring excellence in turnaround time (TAT), report accuracy, and patient & clinician satisfaction.

Deliverables:

• Diagnostic Excellence
• Regulatory & Quality Compliance
• Clinician & Corporate Parties Satisfaction
• Team Enablement
• Stakeholder Engagement

Responsibilities:

• Diagnostic Oversight & Reporting

• Personally validate and sign out pathological results within defined TAT, ensuring clinical correlation wherever applicable.

• Release critical, high-value, high-risk reports with history-backed interpretation.
• Ensure reporting of critical values within 30 minutes through Helpdesk coordination and documentation of escalation.
• Review repeat testing, delta checks, or Clinician queries before finalizing reports.

• Resolve escalated clinician or B2B partner queries related to report delay, interpretation, or values.

• Laboratory Operations Management

• Monitor daily workflow (sample registration to reporting) to ensure seamless processing without bottlenecks.

• Conduct morning huddles with technical team for daily work allocation, sample volume trends, pending TAT cases.
• Define shift plans, ensure break management, and redistribute manpower to high-load areas.
• Track hourly dashboards to monitor sample inflow, pending batches, machine utilization.
• Conduct daily walk-throughs of sample reception, processing, storage, and disposal areas.
• Maintain cold chain and monitor temperature logs of refrigerators, centrifuges, and transport boxes.
• Coordinate with logistics on delayed samples and prioritize urgent cases for immediate processing.
• Optimize TAT and batch processing to reduce costs. Monitor sample rejection or re-run trends and reduce wastage-related expenses.
• Keep manpower costs within budgeted limits through efficient shift rotation and overtime control.

• Prepare and present weekly Laboratory Operations Performance dashboards on CSAT, sample volume, rejection, TAT, QC, to HO Team.

• Quality Management & Compliance

• Daily IQC review with Laboratory/ Quality Manager document, sign, and flag any trend shift.

• Review EQAS data, scoring, and discussion of non-conformities with root cause analysis.
• Approve monthly QC summary, LJs charts, and logbook updates.
• Review and sign off on calibration/maintenance logs for all analyzers.
• Ensure reagent logs, expiry management, and kit validation documentation are updated.
• Conduct monthly internal audits; verify SOP compliance, sample logs, and result traceability.
• Ensure CAPA closure within 7 working days of any non-compliances or deviation.

• Ensure SOP version control and display; conduct annual policy review with Central QA team.

• Pre-Analytical & Sample Management

• Supervise specimen collection quality, labeling accuracy, transport condition, and rejection criteria compliance.

• Conduct random audits of sample adequacy and SOP adherence by phlebotomy and accessioning teams.
• Ensure timely centrifugation of time-sensitive parameters
• Coordinate with logistics and floor teams for timely sample receipt and prioritization of samples.

• Conduct monthly training for high-error (Pre Analytical Non Compliances) phlebotomy/branch teams.

• Technical Team Training & Development

• Conduct structured induction and monthly training programs on SOPs, test parameters, compliances, and QMS updates.

• Review competency assessments, technical error trends, and initiate re-training wherever needed.

• Lead scientific case discussions and knowledge sessions to upskill team members.

• Consumables, Reagents, Instrumentation & Infrastructure Oversight

• Review monthly consumption patterns of reagents, kits, and consumables against test volume. Validate monthly indents before purchase approval; avoid overstocking/stockout.

• Monitor machine downtime, AMC status, and repair costs; escalate cost overages to Central Team.
• Review daily maintenance, calibration logs, and error flags on automated machines
• Approve validation protocols for new test methods or equipment introduced in the laboratories.

• Ensure zero downtime and contingency planning for analyzers through AMC adherence and backup systems.

• Clinical Interface & Doctor Engagement

• Address Corporate Parties and clinician queries, including result clarification, discrepancy resolution, and diagnostic suggestions.

• Maintain communication with top KOLs & A category customers: key discussions, complaints, follow-ups.
• Participate in regional CMEs, RTMs, and case-based learning sessions with the medical community.
• Build credibility for DBCL services through scientific communication and evidence-based advice.

Success Metrics:

• 100% accuracy rate in diagnostic tests and reports.
• 100% timely delivery of diagnostic results within established turnaround times
• 90% achievement of Quality indicators/ Laboratory Performance Score
• Adhere to a budget with no more than 2% variance.
• Customer feedback score of 4.8 or higher.
• One RTM/ CME per month

Requirements:

• Medical degree (MBBS) with specialization in Pathology (MD/DNB) from a recognized institution.
• Valid state medical license and registration to practice pathology.
• Significant experience in diagnostic pathology and proficiency in performing and interpreting complex laboratory tests and techniques.
• Strong knowledge of NABL regulatory and accreditation requirements related to pathology services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals and patients.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, and continuous professional development

Compensation and Benefits: We offer a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.