Cytogenetic Technologist II

Quest Diagnostics; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Quest Diagnostics is seeking a Cytogenetic Technologist II in Royal Oak, MI, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The role encompasses tissue culture, microscopic analysis, and molecular cytogenetics with emphasis on accurate karyotype analysis and strict quality control.

The ideal candidate brings several years of cytogenetics experience and a professional ASCP certification is preferred. Responsibilities include maintaining thorough lab documentation, adhering to CLIA/HIPAA/OSHA

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of full‑time experience in a clinical Cytogenetics laboratory (three years as a Cytogenetics Technologist).
• Bachelor’s degree in Science required; foreign-educated candidates must provide credential evaluation.
• Current ASCP Cytogenetics certification (CG) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Tissue culture: initiation, maintenance, harvest, slide preparation and staining for microscopy if assigned.
• Microscopic analysis: prepare karyotypes using established cytogenetic procedures.
• Molecular cytogenetics: perform FISH or array, maintain QC records and analyze results.
• FISH: process slides including pretreatment, hybridization, post‑wash and counterstain with QC.
• Document and maintain tissue culture and microscopy records accurately.
• Adhere to CLIA, HIPAA, OSHA and safety requirements; assist in training staff as needed.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Confidential data handling

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science

Tools

Laboratory Information Systems

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Job Description

Cytogenetic Technologist II - Royal Oak, MI, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Benefits Information

We are proud to offer best-in-class benefits and programs to support employees and their families in living healthy, happy lives. Our pay and benefit plans have been designed to promote employee health in all respects – physical, financial, and developmental. Depending on whether it is a part-time or full-time position, some of the benefits offered may include:

• Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours
• Annual, no-cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness®
• healthyMINDS mental health program
• Vacation and Health/Flex Time
• FinFit financial coaching and services
• 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Matching gifts program
• Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
• and so much more!

Performs difficult/complex tests requiring the exercise of independent judgment and responsibility in those sub‑specialties in which they are qualified by education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• If job assignment includes tissue culture: accurately and efficiently perform tissue culture of assigned specimen types, including culture initiation, maintenance, harvest, slide preparation and staining for microscopic analysis.
• If job assignment includes microscopic analysis: perform accurate microscopic/post-microscopic analyses of assigned specimen types, including preparing karyotypes using established cytogenetic laboratory procedures.
• If job assignment includes molecular cytogenetics: accurately and efficiently perform FISH or array on assigned specimen types, including maintaining appropriate QC and maintenance records. Perform accurate analysis of FISH or array on assigned specimen types.
• If job assignment includes fluorescence in situ hybridization: accurately and efficiently process assigned specimen types, including slide preparation, pretreatment, hybridization, post wash, and counterstain for microscopic analysis using appropriate quality control standards. Perform accurate microscopic/post-microscopic analyses of assigned specimen types meeting or exceeding established productivity and quality control standards.
• Responsible for the more difficult/complex laboratory testing activities and review of work of other technologists.
• Document and maintain tissue culture and/or microscopy analysis records completely and accurately.
• Document chromosome or FISH abnormalities using correct ISCN nomenclature and best assessment of breakpoints.
• Ensure accurate specimen processing/test results by strict adherence to testing methodology and quality standards.
• Adhere to analytical schedules to maintain turnaround time of results including STATS or critical results to clients.
• Maintain laboratory areas and equipment in a safe, functional and sanitary condition.
• Complete training and competency checklists as appropriate.
• Assist in training of other laboratory personnel, students and fellows.
• Assists in developing/ validating new procedures in order to improve quality, efficiency, or accuracy. Participates in research, development, and implementation of new testing methodologies/modifications.
• Adheres to all established CLIA, HIPAA, OSHA and laboratory safety requirements.
• Required to use (a) personal protective equipment, (b) engineering controls and/or (c) work practice controls as directed by management.
• Participate in government or regulatory agency inspections, if needed.
• May be required, in the absence of a Supervisor, to assume lead responsibilities if qualified and delegated.
• Other duties as assigned. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, but rather a general description of work performed by the position.

Qualifications

Required Work Experience

Minimum of four (4) years (3 years as a Cytogenetics Technologist) full‑time experience in a clinical Cytogenetics laboratory.

A degree or certificate from an accredited Cytogenetics training program may be substituted for the year of experience.

Physical And Mental Requirements

• The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects: Objects 1 to 10 pounds are lifted and carried frequently; objects 11 to 25 pounds are lifted and carried occasionally; objects 36 to 50 pounds are seldom lifted or carried and objects over 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
• Microscopic analysis requires extended periods sitting at a microscope.
• Tissue culture and wet lab areas require extended periods of standing, sitting at a biohazard hood, or pipetting.
• FISH requires the ability to stand or sit for long periods possibly in a small darkroom environment.
• Ability to stand and work at the bench for long periods of time.
• Frequent walking and/or standing.
• May be required to use a wide variety of manual and automated pipettes and laboratory instruments and apparatuses all of which demand significant manual dexterity.

Knowledge

• Comprehensive theoretical and operational knowledge of job assignment(s) in Cytogenetics.
• Knowledge of organizational/departmental policies and procedures.

Skills

• Requires manual dexterity and excellent pattern recognition skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, have the ability to work independently, establish work priorities and handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum department efficiency.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and clients.
• Communication skills necessary to handle telephone inquiries from clients.
• Ability to deal with client information in a confidential manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Laboratory Information Systems.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree Science. Foreign educated candidates must provide a detailed credential evaluation from IERF (International Education Research Foundation). United States educated candidates must provide a detailed original transcript. (Required)

Licenses and Certifications

• Current ASCP Certification in Cytogenetics [ASCP-CG] (Preferred)

About The Team

Quest Diagnostics honors our service members and encourages veterans to apply.

While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Quest will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual as to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.