Preceptorships

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Clinical Rotation Site Assignments

Overview

The clinical rotation year consists of 3 semesters, each lasting 15-16 weeks. Each semester is divided into two training blocks, allowing for a maximum of 6 different clinical rotation sites throughout the year. To ensure comprehensive training, students must complete rotations in three categories: academic institutions (high volume of complex and cancer resections), community or private practice hospitals/labs, and autopsy training. Rotation Assignment Process

1. Rotations are assigned randomly to ensure equality and fairness among all students.
2. General geographical regions are tied together to minimize relocation requirements each semester when possible.
3. No exceptions or personal preferences will be considered for established sites within Texas or Louisiana.
4. Personal preferences or assignment rankings cannot be utilized due to variable site availability.

Key Points

1. All placements with established clinical affiliations are made solely by the program administration in adherence to UTMB institutional and Texas state policies.
2. Individual preceptors or preceptorship sites do not make final placement decisions.
3. Clinical affiliates have entered into legal agreements with UTMB to offer their training and expert guidance equally to all actively enrolled UTMB pathologists' assistants in good standing, without discrimination or favoritism.
4. Students attempting to influence placement decisions outside of established procedures is strictly prohibited and considered a violation of professional conduct.
5. Our clinical affiliates are partners in educating the next generation of pathology personnel and are familiar with institutional protocols.

Rationale

The random assignment policy is designed to benefit all students and prepare them for the diverse experiences they will encounter in their future careers. It ensures fair and equitable access to all learning materials and experiences for all UTMB pathologists' assistant students.

Site Availability

Please note that not all clinical rotation sites are available year-round. Our clinical affiliates are not compensated by the UTMB Pathologists' Assistant Training Program, and no portion of student tuition or program fees is allocated for these services. As a result, site availability is determined by the convenience of our clinical affiliates. Students will be assigned to locations when and where high-quality training opportunities are available. However, site availability may change at any time due to factors beyond UTMB's control, including but not limited to:

• Staffing shortages
• Inspections
• Construction

Accommodations As per Texas State Education Law:

• Students who cannot travel regularly for rotations (e.g., due to pregnancy, regular medical appointments, etc.) may seek accommodations through the UTMB ADA Office.
• An alternative option is to volunteer for a one-year rotation at the University of Kansas.

Compliance

Adherence to this policy is mandatory for all students. Any attempts to circumvent this policy or influence placement decisions may result in disciplinary action.

By accepting admission to the UTMB Pathologists' Assistant Program, students acknowledge their understanding and agreement to comply with this Clinical Rotation Policy.

Clinical Year Travel and Housing

As is true during the first year of enrollment in the UTMB Pathologists' Assistant Program, travel to and from the clinical site as well as housing arrangements (including other travel such as to grocery stores, etc.) will be solely the responsibility of the student. 

Students may choose to utilize public transportation, carpool, or use their own vehicle to commute to their clinical sites, but the student will assume all associated liabilities and costs. This includes, but is not limited to, expenses for gas, parking, vehicle maintenance (if using a private vehicle), metro passes, and bus fare.

Students are not charged within UTMB Pathologists' Assistant program fees or tuition dollars for program faculty to make these arrangements on the student's behalf. Students are made aware prior to enrollment within the UTMB Pathologists' Assistant Training Program of a variety of clinical rotation sites offered, their various locations, and the travel requirements of the second year. It is strongly encouraged that money be set aside and budgeted with each disbursement of funds in anticipation of rotations that require a lot of travel.

All travel and housing costs are the student's responsibility. Temporary housing arrangements at various locations can be arranged via short-term rental agreements such as Airbnb, VRBO, monthly hotel room rates, staying with friends or family, or by whatever means the student is most comfortable and safe.

Clinical Rotation Sites Grouped by Region

Galveston

• UTMB Surgical Pathology
• UTMB Autopsy
• Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office

Houston

• Sagis Diagnostics
• MD Anderson Cancer Center
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Memorial Herman Hospital System
• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
• Baylor College of Medicine- Ben Taub (not active Fall 2025-Summer 2026)
• Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center (not active Fall 2025-Summer 2026)

Dallas/Fort Worth

• UT Southwestern Clements
• Dallas Children's Health
• Texas Pathology Consultants (at Texas Health Huguley Lab)- Burleson, TX
• Ameripath/Quest Diagnostics- Irving, TX

In-Between

• Baylor Scott &White Health- Temple, TX

San Antonio

• Christus Health Santa Rosa (Children's Hospital of San Antonio)

Louisiana

• The Pathology Laboratory- Lake Charles, LA
• Preferred Anatomic Pathology (PAP) Services- Lafayette, LA
• Delta Pathology- New Orleans, LA
• Ochsner Medical Center- New Orleans, LA
• Delta Pathology- Shreveport, LA
• Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center- Shreveport, LA

Kansas

• University of Kansas Health System- Kansas City, KS

Preceptorship Objectives

Each preceptorship is evaluated through cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skill) and affective (attitude) criteria:

1. Affective criteria are evaluated at each preceptorship. Students must receive an affirmative response to all items on the Affective Objectives Checklist to pass the clinical rotation. The clinical preceptorship faculty is responsible for completing the Affective Objectives Checklist, reviewing it with the student, and returning it to the Clinical Preceptorship Coordinator, who will make the final evaluation.
   • Clinical Preceptorship Affective Objectives and Checklist
2. Cognitive criteria are evaluated at each preceptorship through the use of preceptorship exams.
3. Psychomotor criteria are evaluated at each preceptorship through the use of the Preceptorship Checklists. The checklists evaluate progress toward the completion of psychomotor objectives. Review the objectives and checklists below:
   • UTMB Autopsy Pathology
   • UTMB Surgical Pathology