Molecular Diagnostics

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What is the future job outlook for this fellowship ? Would anyone do this over a specialized surg path fellowship?

 

[Gut Shot]

That's a big question. Some folks feel that really meaningful molecular testing is going to stay largely confined to reference labs and big academic centers, so you'd end up working in one of those settings with fellowship training.

I suspect that at least some of the molecular assays are going to trickle down faster than those in the above camp predict. With a single real-time PCR apparatus you can already do quite a bit of med micro testing, which may ultimately prove to be feasible and cost effective even for smaller hospitals.

Other, more elaborate tests are tougher to call right now. The technology is evolving so rapidly that seeing even five years down the road is damn nigh impossible.

 

[LADoc00]

What is the future job outlook for this fellowship ? Would anyone do this over a specialized surg path fellowship?

I laugh every time I hear this, molecular fellowship...what a joke. Let me dispel the myth: mol path is done by technicians and mostly technicians in large commericial labs like ARUP or Quest. Pathologists and PhD lab directors alike are managerial...re-read that last word:MANAGERIAL. If I own a private, for profit lab, am I gonna hire the 90K/yr PhD manager or a 150K/yr MD?? Hey you dont need a Harvard MBA to answer to that question.

Folks, do what you want, but dont come back whining here when you are bunked in some trailer park in East St. Louis training 150K in med school debt because you decided to a mol path fellowship instead of acquiring an actual useful skill set.

 

[pathdawg]

I laugh every time I hear this, molecular fellowship...what a joke. Let me dispel the myth: mol path is done by technicians and mostly technicians in large commericial labs like ARUP or Quest. Pathologists and PhD lab directors alike are managerial...re-read that last word:MANAGERIAL. If I own a private, for profit lab, am I gonna hire the 90K/yr PhD manager or a 150K/yr MD?? Hey you dont need a Harvard MBA to answer to that question.

Folks, do what you want, but dont come back whining here when you are bunked in some trailer park in East St. Louis training 150K in med school debt because you decided to a mol path fellowship instead of acquiring an actual useful skill set.

Damn, I missed LA's posts. Welcome back!

 

[neuroscut]

Hi folks,
On a related note, does anyone know about the career prospects after doing a fellowship in molecular genetics (esp lab diagnostics). I am especially interested in Neurogenetics (kinda obvious from my name,eh) and would like to hear more about oppurtunities after doing a fellowship in clinical molecular genetics.

TIA,
NS

 

[LADoc00]

Hi folks,
On a related note, does anyone know about the career prospects after doing a fellowship in molecular genetics (esp lab diagnostics). I am especially interested in Neurogenetics (kinda obvious from my name,eh) and would like to hear more about oppurtunities after doing a fellowship in clinical molecular genetics.

TIA,
NS

Molecular genetics after what exactly? Pathology? Peds?
Genetics specifically medical genetics certified by the ABMG is not a pathology subspeciality as far as I know. Additionally, by and large it is a purely adminstrative position if you are at the MD level. Given the current state of consolidation of many genetics panel testing, there are less positions available for this then are openings for hairy midgets in the porn industry.

This is the age old ? "hey Im interested in X, can I get a job doing what I love." Typically the answer is a resounding NO. There is no neurogenetics niche in clinical practice, no more than there is niche for me to drink beer and play computers for a 250K/year salary.

 

[Gut Shot]

I laugh every time I hear this, molecular fellowship...what a joke. Let me dispel the myth: mol path is done by technicians and mostly technicians in large commericial labs like ARUP or Quest. Pathologists and PhD lab directors alike are managerial...re-read that last word:MANAGERIAL. If I own a private, for profit lab, am I gonna hire the 90K/yr PhD manager or a 150K/yr MD?? Hey you dont need a Harvard MBA to answer to that question.

Folks, do what you want, but dont come back whining here when you are bunked in some trailer park in East St. Louis training 150K in med school debt because you decided to a mol path fellowship instead of acquiring an actual useful skill set.

True dat. Regardless of what happens with molecular testing in the coming decades, your best career prospect after a mol path fellowship is either fluffing or doing another fellowship. Such as a specialized surg path fellowship.

I've done quite a bit of molecular stuff, and I'd like to brush up in a few years, but it isn't going to be my bread and butter. The molecular diagnostic labs I've been through have all been run by PhD's (with one notable exception).