Fellowship in Laboratory Haematology

Conceptualised in the year 2004 as a philanthropic initiative for the Eastern and North-Eastern
parts of India and the neighboring countries, the Tata Medical Center (TMC) started operations in
Kolkata on May 16, 2011. The hospital is governed by a charitable trust – Tata Medical Centre Trust.
It is an integrated Oncology facility with well-trained professional staff and equipped with modern
facilities and the most contemporary medical equipment. Set up at a cost of Rs. 350 crores, the
Hospital, with a capacity of 183 beds, serves all sections of the society, with 50% of the
infrastructure earmarked for free or subsidized treatment for the underprivileged sections. Tata
Medical Center is currently in an expansion mode with another 250 beds being added to the current
bed strength. The hospital provides a wide spectrum of services from diagnosis, therapy to
rehabilitation and palliative support in cancer. The Institution's objective is to excel in service,
education and research.

The Haematology laboratory is completely automated with state-of-the-art equipments. Beckman

Coulter DxH 1601, LH780 & LH750, the fully automated 5–part differential cell counter with auto
slide-maker and stainer are the work-horse in this lab. Coagulation is fully automated with IL Top
300 & Elite Pro analysers. Cytochemical staining is automated using a Thermac auto-staining
system. The two 3-Laser BD FACS Canto II Flowcytometers perform 8 colour flow cytometric
analyses in leukaemia / lymphoma diagnosis, MRD detection, haematopoietic stem cell
enumeration, PNH, HS and cell cycle studies. The Sebia HYDRASIS II automated electrophoresis
platform performs the haemoglobin & protein electrophoresis including immuno-fixation
electrophoresis in diagnosis of plasma cell disorders and haemoglobinopathies. The nephelometer (
SPA Plus ) from Binding Site supplements further by doing the FLC assays and Ig quantifications.
There is an advanced platelet aggregometer ( Chronolog ), both for whole blood and PRP
(Chronolog Model 700) for platelet function defects as well as a ROTEM for rotational
thromboelastometry study during prolonged & complicated cancer surgery. Though a cancer
hospital, the lab houses a BIORAD HPLC system for Hb variant analysis in thalassaemias /
haemoglobinopathies. In addition the lab has spectrophotometer for kinetic red cell enzyme assays
(G6PD), automated ESR equipment and performs all kinds of special stains (NAP, Esterases, AP,
TRAP etc.) employed in haematology. Besides the sophisticated blood and bone marrow testing, the
bone marrow biopsies have access to all possible IHC markers. The in-house facilities for molecular
haematology and cytogenetic tests for hematological malignancies encompass the entire diagnostic
algorithm. The Molecular Haematology has state of the art NGS Platform ( Ion Torrent PGM ) ,
Digital droplet PCR ( BIORAD ddPCR ), Sanger Sequencer ( ABI 3500 ), ABI 7500 and Rotorgene
Real Time Platforms. Cytogenetics performs conventiona G-Banding karyotyping, Stress
Cytogenetics and FISH for all kinds of haematological malignancies.

In order to fulfill the above objectives, TMC invites applications for Fellowship in Laboratory
Haematology:
Qualification: -

MD Pathology or equivalent in the relevant specialty

Experience: Fresh MD/DNB or Equivalent

Duration: One Year ( extendable upto 3 years on a yearly basis based upon performance )

Job Description:

Clinical responsibilities:

The fellow will be Involved in daily slide review and sign out of cases. He will perform real-time
review of cases involving peripheral blood smears, bone marrow aspirate smears and bone marrow
biopsies. He will be involved in the validation process of hemocytometry and coagulation lab
parameters including internal QC external QA processes. The fellow will independently review all
the hematology cases first with a clinico-lab hematology correlation and make an attempt to offer
diagnoses. Final discussion and sign-out with the faculty will follow on a double-head microscope. It
is expected that the fellow will exercise gradually increasing responsibility in signing out of cases
on his own, with decreasing levels of supervision by the faculty.

Academic responsibilities:

He will actively participate in monthly / fortnightly intra & inter-departmental conferences (Clinical
Grand Rounds).The fellow will prepare, present, and discuss cases at interdepartmental
conferences attended by the faculty and fellows of the Departments of Clinical Hematology and
Medical Oncology. He will present Journal Clubs and Lab Meetings as scheduled by the division of
laboratory hematology. He will be encouraged to assist in ongoing research projects and to develop
their own research projects. The options for the fellow will include clinical images, clinical case
reports, analysis of clinical case series, or basic science research. The candidate will take part in all
MDT meetings and also in regular pathology academic sessions. The candidate will also present at
national conferences and be involved in haematopathology research in the department.

This fellowship usually involves 07 / 08 months in hemocytometry, morphologic assessment of

blood and bone marrow, flowcytometry, hemostasis & thrombosis and other areas of lab
hematology ( red cell abnormalities, hemoglobinopathy, myeloma etc. ), 2 months hemato-
lymphoid ( LN ) Pathology, 01 month of cytogenetics and molecular genetics, 01 month of immuno-
hematology, HLA lab, apheresis, stem cell lab, clinical hematology & stem cell transplantation
rotations. He will be sent for 01 month for an out of centre (National / International ) exposure in
the subject either within the fellowship duration or immediately after . If the fellow decides to stay
for second year(subject to the satisfaction of both parties); the second year can be structured as per
the candidates’ interest and would include 06 months each of subspeciality training in cytogenetics
and molecular genetics.
Audit and Research:

The post holder would be expected to be involved in laboratory and clinical audit, as well as
research programmes which would involve writing research grant applications, participation in
laboratory work, presenting papers in scientific conferences, and writing articles for publication in
indexed journals.

Management responsibilities:

The post holder would be expected to help other laboratory staff in writing business cases and
standard operating procedures, drafting policy documents, carrying out health and safety audits,
participate in equipment maintenance, and quality control activities

Prospective Candidates are encouraged to contact the following consultant in case of any
query:

Dr Deepak Mishra, 9831132365/ 9810002365; Email: deepak.mishra@tmckolkata.com;

*For more details about the job positions, qualifications, eligibility and application forms,
please log on to our website: www.tmckolkata.com.

You may also Email or Post applications by 10/01/2019 to:

Mr. Suvasish Mukherjee, Head-Human Resources, Tata Medical Center, 14 MAR (EW), New Town,
Kolkata – 700156. Email – suvashish.mukherjee@tmckolkata.com.