Pathologist onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: ABPath board certification, State medical license (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: microscopes; digital pathology scanners; laboratory information systems; cryostats
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Pathologist training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Handle specimens with biosafety precautions
Use formalin safely
Follow sharps safety
Ensure correct specimen labeling
Shadow an experienced pathologist through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: sign out a biopsy
Supervised practice: perform a frozen section
Supervised practice: present at tumor board
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Examine tissue under the microscope: independently
Diagnose cancer and disease: independently
Interpret lab test results: independently
Direct clinical laboratories: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, ABPath board certification)
Discuss the career path: Pathology Resident → Pathologist → Subspecialist
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Sign Out a Biopsy
Perform a Frozen Section
Present at Tumor Board
Histopathology
Cytopathology
Clinical laboratory medicine
Immunohistochemistry

How to measure onboarding success

Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
Competency sign-offs completed on time
Documentation or charting error rate
90-day retention

How Pathologist training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Pathologist Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Pathologist Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Pathologist Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Pathologist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)