Department

Pathology Services Group

Position Title

Pathology Group Leader

Reporting Line

Chief Medical Officer

Approved in Current Budget?

Yes

Exempt or Nonexempt?

Exempt

Salaried or Hourly?

Salaried

Position Summary

The Pathology Group Leader (PGL) oversees the Company’s growing team of employed and contracted pathologists based in multiple locations including at the Company’s Scottsdale, AZ headquarters and Boston, MA satellite office and performs expert reading of slides for CND’s world-leading cutaneous neurodiagnostics services offered to neurologists and other clinicians nationally. The current pathology team includes approximately five (5) on-staff pathologists and (5) contracted pathologists with different levels of FTE commitments. All pre-analytical tissue processing is conducted at CND’s central CLIA-accredited, CAP-certified specialty laboratory in Scottsdale. The pathology team, processes, protocols, training programs, and technologies are supported by CND’s neurologist co-founder based in Boston who plays a dual role as Neuropathology Lead and Chief Scientific Officer. The PGL reports to the Chief Medical Officer and neurologist co-founder based in Scottsdale and works collaboratively with the company’s Medical Directors to perform the full spectrum of Pathology Group and laboratory responsibilities.

The ideal candidate brings a balance of medical expertise, team leadership, and strategic vision, fostering collaboration across multiple functions of the Company. The PGL is driven by patient-centric innovation, committed to high standards of care, and adept at leveraging cutting-edge tools such as digital pathology and AI. The PGL is a key member of CND’s functional leadership team and plays an essential role in driving pathology excellence, laboratory quality, and exceptional service to clinician and patient customers across all 50 states.  

The PGL brings a diverse set of anatomic pathology experience including familiarity with immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescent techniques. The PGL has served as the pathology team leader and medical director of a commercial laboratory or as part of a large health system and has deep interest in CND’s mission to change the way neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed and treated.

Given CND’s unique technology and pathological methods, the PGL is highly flexible, willing to learn new science and analytical processes, and driven by innovative ways to impact patient care. The PGL has a history of collaborating effectively with pathology department teammates and serving as an important expert resource for other colleagues including the laboratory technician team. The PGL is a consummate professional, has excellent attention to detail and quality, and considers themself as a productive case reader. The PGL also has experience with or is highly interested in digital pathology methods and the use of AI-driven tools that may enhance overall reading capabilities for the organization. Additionally, the PGL has participated in research projects, has a keen eye for potential process improvements in the laboratory, and will enjoy participating in formal company-sponsored and/or industry clinical studies.

The PGL will become proficient at reading CND’s innovative cutaneous neurodiagnostic tests. For the neuropathology portion of the Syn-One Test, the PGL will be guided through an extensive, multi-week CND pathology training program to be “certified” to read and sign out cases. As the leader of the pathology team, the PGL will play a key role in collaboration with Company founders to help design and implement a scalable onboarding and training program for all new pathologists and develop and maintain a competency scoring system for all team members. The PGL will also collaborate on a regular basis with many important departments including Pathology Operations, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, Laboratory Operations, R&D, and Clinical Services. The PGL forms close relationships with department leaders and other colleagues to foster a collaborative environment and serves as a mentor for key staff, leading by example with a strong work ethic and professionalism.

Finally, the PGL has a strong academic background in pathology and a proven track record with recent employers, including spending multiple years at one or more practices or private sector companies. The PGL is excited to join an early-stage, high-growth company and make key contributions to the company’s mission.

Job Responsibilities

I. Pathology Reading and Pathologist Team Leadership

Pathology Reading

•        Become proficient at reading CND’s Syn-One Test and other cutaneous neurodiagnostics through successful completion of the Company’s pathology training programs led by CND’s neurologist founder

•        If the PGL has sufficient experience conducting dermatological analysis of tissue, including H&E and special stains, begin by becoming certified to read the “Case Pair 2” portion of CND’s Syn-One Test within the first weeks of starting the role

•        Achieve the required case concordance rates for the “Case Pair 1” neuropathology portion of the Syn-One Test by detecting phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN) as well as measuring intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD)

•        Leverage CND’s prereader resources and pathology assistance system (NerValence) to support the reading of Case Pair 1

•        Upon successful completion of CNDs training programs, serve as a primary reader for the Syn-One Test and consult with CND’s other pathologists on cases when necessary

•        Help all pathologists achieve productivity rate goals

•        Become proficient at using the Company’s CNDlink LIMS system and work collaborative with Pathology Operations to complete cases with highest quality

•        Provide accurate interpretation results and appropriate commentary on  patient pathology reports and communicate directly with ordering clinicians upon request from Medical Affairs and/or Clinical Services  

•        Upon conferring with Medical Affairs and/or Clinical Services, provide consultation to ordering clinicians in a timely manner regarding:

o   Investigation of discrepant or unexpected results

o   Inclusion of appropriate tests in clinical order sets and deletion of unnecessary tests

o   Requests for repeat tests

•        Review all relevant patient information provided on each test requisition form to understand the clinical context of the patient and ordering clinician’s needs; consult with CND’s neurologists in Medical Affairs (or other founders) when discussion of any particular case is required

•        Maintain constant, effective communication with the CMO and founders as well as pathology team members, the head of Quality, and other CND functional areas

•        Bring key pathology/medical issues to the Company’s Medical Executive Committee (MEC) on a weekly basis to discuss and resolve important matters

Pathology Department Leadership

•        Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and management of CND’s full-time, part-time, and contracted pathologists with support from HR, CND founders, and other resources

•        Develop and maintain competency-based training programs for new and existing team members

•        Establish productivity goals and monitor team performance, driving improvements in workflow and case throughput

•        Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with CND’s core values

•        In collaboration with CND’s neurologist founders, develop and implement training and education programs and serve as a mentor and capable coach for the pathology team

•        Work effectively with the Pathology Operations Team to foster a collaborative environment, transparent and efficient workflow processes, and regular, professional communication. Ensure roles and responsibilities of the Pathology Operations Team are understood and respected by the Pathology Team

•        Lead team meetings and one-on-one sessions that support ongoing growth of individual pathologists and the team as whole

•        With the Pathology Operations Team and founders, conduct ongoing capacity planning and case assignment forecasts based on projected test volumes. Provide the necessary room for the Pathology Operations Team to coordinate the day-to-day case volume assignments and optimize pathologist throughput based on overall capacity plans established by the teams

•        Communicate appropriate productivity goals for all team members by test (and relevant case pairs), review monthly team performance, and recommend course corrections when needed

•        Lead by example and embody CND’s values

•        Keep the pathology team abreast of Company events and important information

II. Select Medical Directorship and Laboratory Quality Support

Laboratory Leadership & Support

•        Where required by CND (depending on state coverage, etc.) serve as the Medical Director for CND’s CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited commercial laboratory in Scottsdale, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards

o   As a note, CND’s senior dermatopathologist on staff in Scottsdale serves as the primary laboratory medical director for the commercial and R&D labs

•        Collaborate with quality and laboratory operations teams to maintain accreditation readiness and laboratory excellence

•        Contribute to the development and maintenance of laboratory SOPs, quality measures, and proficiency testing programs

•        Provide ongoing leadership, subject matter expertise, professional guidance, and ultimate authority for lab deliverables to customers

•        Provide regular presence in the lab and make routine rounds throughout the facility, offering guidance to lab staff when needed in coordination with other lab operations personnel

•        Be familiar with all disciplines and processes within the lab and serve as a liaison between the pathology team and lab operations personnel

•        Be accessible to the lab staff to provide onsite, telephone or electronic consultation as needed as dictated by the hours of operation

•        Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with lab operations management as well as other senior leaders including the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, SVP, Operations, SVP, RAQA, and Quality Director

•        Provide important inputs for ongoing enhancements to CND’s LIMS

•        Advise in the assessment and implementation of new processes, technologies and capital equipment

•        Ensure the lab has sufficient qualified personnel with adequate documented training to meet workload demands

•        Delegate the necessary authorities and hold people accountable for the documented tasks and deliverables

•        Ensure that managers and supervisors have sufficient experience and expertise to lead their sections of the clinical lab

Quality & Regulatory

•        In close collaboration with the SVP, RAQA, Laboratory Manager and Quality Team, review all new lab procedures and participate in the composition, review and approval of SOPs where required

•        In collaboration with the laboratory medical director(s), help establish and maintain quality evaluation methods, measures and protocols and review performance data prior to implementation of new processes

o   Help assure quality of lab results by reviewing quality control, proficiency surveys and test data and that the lab employs proficiency surveys for all analytes; assist in investigating discrepant results and document corrective actions

•        Attend important Quality meetings when needed and review the quality assurance/quality management report on a regular basis

•        Periodically review patient results to determine that medically reliable data is being generated

•        Promptly investigate lab errors and develop an action plan to prevent future occurrences

•        Ensure that pathology and laboratory operations comply with all current accreditation and regulatory agencies such as AABB, CAP, CLIA, CLEP, FDA, JCAHO, and state authorities

•        Ensure that the lab maintains a constant state of inspection readiness and is prepared for unannounced inspections by accrediting agencies

Key Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

•        15+ years in pathology, including leadership roles in a clinical or commercial diagnostic setting.

•        At least 5 years of experience supervising high complexity testing

•        Demonstrated expertise with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or similar diagnostic techniques.

•        Proven track record of quality program development, laboratory operations, and compliance.

•        Strong communicator with the ability to mentor and inspire diverse teams.

•        Adept in digital pathology, LIMS systems, and AI-enhanced diagnostic tools.

•        Commitment to innovation and a passion for advancing patient care.

•        Minimum of 15 years as practicing pathologist either in private clinical setting or within the clinical/medical diagnostics industry and proven ability to build and lead a team of pathologists

•        Background in anatomic/clinical pathology with possible specialty in neuropathology or dermatopathology

•        Extensive experience working in CLIA-certified laboratory and/or CAP-certified laboratories

•        Excellent communicator and collaborator with pathology teammates and other departments

•        Involvement with quality program design and implementation

•        Strong knowledge of imaging, quality control, and credentialing and accreditation

•        Strong knowledge of assay development/validations

•        Experience with biopharmaceutical industry projects a plus

•        Comfortable working within a LIMS system and using digital technologies as part of daily workflow

Education, Certifications, and Licensures

•        MD, DO, or DPM with board certification in anatomic pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABP(AP)) or American Osteopathic Board of Pathology (AOBP(AP)); and

•        Holds a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) for Histopathology - General in the state of NY (or eligibility to obtain); and

•        Licensed in multiple states (or eligibility to obtain)

•        Complete at least 20 CE credit hours in laboratory practice that cover director responsibilities as defined by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)

•        Ph.D. a plus

•        Experience in neuropathology or dermatopathology a plus

Special Training

•        Validation and assay development

•        Will be guided through CND’s pathology training program to become certified to read cases for the Syn-One Test, Small-Fiber Dx, and other proprietary cutaneous neurodiagnostic tests; travel to CND’s Boston office required during training period

Location/Other

Work Location and Office Model

·       This position is based in CND’s Scottsdale, AZ laboratory and headquarters.

Physical Demands:

·       Combination of seated and standing work to complete the core functions of the role