Cytogenetic Technologist

Lensa; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Cytogenetic Technologist to join their innovative laboratory team. In this role, you'll utilize advanced cytogenetic techniques, including FISH and aCGH, to perform chromosome studies that are vital for patient care. You'll work in a state-of-the-art facility, contributing to life-changing medicine by ensuring accurate genetic analysis and fostering collaboration with healthcare professionals. If you have a passion for genetics and a strong background in medical technology, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of cytogenetics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology, or Chemistry required.
• 1 year of lab experience required.
• Must be certified as a Technologist in Cytogenetics.

Responsibilities

• Initiate cultures using sterile techniques and monitor their growth.
• Prepare karyograms and analyze for chromosomal defects.
• Perform advanced genetic tests and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Sterile Techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology

Bachelor's degree in Biology

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH)

Job description

Cytogenetic Technologist / Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is excited to be hiring a Cytogenetic Technologist or Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist to help support the UPMC Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL). This role will be scheduled daylight hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with rotating Saturday responsibilities.

The UCL is a state-of-the-art facility where you will have the opportunity to make an impact on life-changing medicine. Using both traditional cytogenetic techniques as well as molecular cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), the UCL performs chromosome studies on a wide variety of specimens, giving our patients the best opportunity to get the answers they need.

Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education. The Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist's salary starts at $29.46/hour.

Responsibilities:

1. Initiate cultures using sterile techniques following procedures to ensure optimal growth of samples.
2. Monitor growth of subcultures and determine when cultures are ready for harvest.
3. Follow mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
4. Adjust harvesting procedures daily based on environmental conditions and appearance of other recent harvests.
5. Choose correct culture media and place in appropriate incubator.
6. Place slides on microscope and determine and record the location of appropriate cells for analysis.
7. Prepare karyograms for each case on the imaging system and analyze them for the presence of chromosomal defects.
8. Perform specimen harvesting, slide making, and/or banding as needed when on-call.
9. Determine number of cultures to be set up based on size of sample and clinical diagnosis.
10. Determine when subcultures should be performed on non-primary cultures.
11. Change media in cultures according to established schedules.
12. Harvest primary and subcultures when ready.
13. Perform techniques necessary to acquire preliminary cytogenetic diagnosis on STAT newborns.
14. Perform subcultures when necessary and determine number of subcultures to be initiated from original cultures based on amount of cell growth present.
15. Perform appropriate banding and staining procedures to ensure optimal visibility of chromosome structure.
16. Count the number of chromosomes and analyze the structure of each chromosome to determine if a genetic defect is present.
17. Monitor temperature and carbon dioxide levels in incubators to ensure growth of cultures.
18. Prepare slides from harvested cells.
19. Image capture appropriate number of cells on each case on the department's computerized imaging system.
20. Retrieve and set up specimens as required.
21. Maintain records of culture initiation, growth, manipulation, and harvests on all specimens.

Cytogenetic Technologist Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry required.
2. 1 year job or college lab experience required.
3. Analytical ability to perform advanced genetic tests, interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
4. Ability to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.
5. Interpersonal ability to interact with hospital staff, students and outside laboratories.
6. Interpersonal ability to appropriately answer telephone inquiries from physicians, nurses, patients and other outside laboratories concerning specimens.

Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in medical technology, Biology or Chemistry.
2. Minimum of three years clinical cytogenetics lab experience to acquire a professional level of knowledge in cytogenetics, acquire expertise in the operation of equipment and the performance of clinical diagnostic testing procedures.
3. Must be certified as a Technologist in Cytogenetics by examination through the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists [CG(ASCP)].
4. Successful demonstration of the completion of the competencies required by the department/unit.
5. This individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
6. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department's policy and procedures.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

1. Act 34
2. CG(ASCP) certification required and must maintain certification. (Specialty level)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran