Cytogenetic Technologist

Cytogenetic Technologist

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited cytogenetics education program within the last five years
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, or a bachelor’s degree including 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college course work in the biological, chemical and/or medical sciences from a regionally accredited college/university AND one year of full-time acceptable work experience in a clinical cytogenetics laboratory in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last three years
• Master’s degree or Doctorate in genetics or molecular biology from a regionally accredited college/university AND nine months of full-time acceptable work experience in a clinical cytogenetics laboratory in the U.S., Canada, or an accredited laboratory within the last three years
• CLIA defined Qualifications: § 493.1423 Standard; Testing personnel qualifications
• CLIA defined Qualifications: § 493.1489 Standard; Testing personnel qualifications
• CLIA defined Qualifications: § 493.1491 Technologist qualifications on or before February 28, 1992

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures.
• Performs analytical tests.
• Prepares specimens for culture, harvest, slide preparation and staining, FISH processing, and analysis.
• Performs cytogenetic analysis, including analysis of digital images and microscopic analysis, and documents results.
• Correlates analysis results with patient’s reason-for-referral, previous studies, related family studies as applicable and additional pathology/test results as available.
• Evaluates results for accuracy, and resolves complex test problems.
• Recognizes, communicates, and documents results that require action.
• Follows all federal regulations including CAP, OSHA, COLA, CLIA, ACMG and HIPAA.
• Performs and documents required & advanced instrument maintenance, and quality control.
• Performs and documents required reagent preparation.
• Performs quality control, and takes appropriate remedial action.
• Ensures appropriate documentation and record retention according to federal regulations.
• Performs proficiency testing as assigned.
• Processes all aspects of specimen management, including confirmation of patient identity and labeling of specimens and aliquots.
• Coordinates and performs the processing of cytogenetic specimens.
• Assesses all pre-analytic processes and documents all sub-optimal situations.
• Evaluates patient orders for completeness and follows up as needed.
• Stocks, rotates and requests supplies on a regular basis to ensure proper availability in the work area.
• Participates in the training of new employees and students.
• Assists in Direct Observation of staff for annual competency.
• Participates in development of technical procedures, forms, miscellaneous documents, method validation, and implementation.
• Participates in departmental or system meetings, projects and committees as assigned.
• May assist with department scheduling.
• Performs proficiency testing as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

No preferred qualifications provided.