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What We Do We cover many areas of genetics: both human and non human, as well as, research and clinical genetics. It's not possible to cover all of the work that we do, but the following is a description of the two larger bodies of genetic technologists and their accountabilitiesCYTOGENETIC TECHNOLOGIST REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in a scientific discipline, or medical technology or [CLSp(CG)] from an approved agency such as the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) is recommended. Without CLSp(CG) certification, one to two years previous laboratory work experience is required. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Clinical and research laboratories at universities and in the private-for profit sector. Exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious agents is a job risk. The ability to spend prolonged times at a microscope in order to analyze chromosomes, preparations necessary and may lead to eye strain and fatigue. Standard laboratory safety regulations must be maintained to avoid contamination or injury to yourself or others. JOB DUTIES: Cytogenetics is a highly specialized discipline that studies the morphology of chromosomes and their relationship to disease. Duties include the preparation of biological specimens (human, animal and plants) for cell culture with subsequent microscopic analysis for cytogenetic studies. Cytogenetics involves microscopy, photomicroscopy, computer image analysis, karyotyping and report generation. CYTOGENETIC STATEMENTS OF COMPETENCE: The Statements of Competence is a thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of all the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful and competent cytogenetic technologist. It was first created prior to 1980 as a necessary part of the development of the first NCA Cytogenetic certification exam. It has been revised in order to keep current with the duties of today's cytogenetic technologist. A review of this document will give one a good idea of the duties performed and the knowledge needed. The best way to maintain this competency is to become and remain certified through the NCA exam. Click here to view the Cytogenetic Statements of Competence. HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING: Students with an interest in any area of science should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Genetics is an experimental science requiring use of the scientific method: proposing a hypothesis and experimentally testing its validity. Computer science provides good exposure to the scientific method and familiarity with computes is always useful. Summer research programs offered in conjunction with academic and research institutions may provide invaluable hands-on experience in laboratory work. Inquiries about these types of programs may be directed to the biology departments of local colleges or universities. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: Students should take courses in all the sciences to solidify your understanding of their basic concepts. Specialization in genetics at the undergraduate level is unusual; it is more common to major in biology or biochemistry, taking as many genetic courses as possible. It is a good idea to do some independent research during the academic year and/ or in the summer. In addition, a student may wish to explore summer research opportunities or volunteer experiences in laboratories of local hospitals, commercial companies or research institutions. The undergraduate bachelor's degree culminates study that is not usually research oriented, so a graduate will not be trained at this stage to direct your own independent research program; and a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for graduate training. *** Nonetheless, with a solid foundation in science course-work and some laboratory experience, the undergraduate bachelor's degree will qualify you to become a genetic research technologist or a Cytogenetic Technologist trainee eligible to work under the supervision of someone with more advanced training or certification, NCA certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics [CLSp(CG)]. POST-GRADUATE CYTOGENETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS: Most Cytogenetic Technology training programs either require a bachelor's degree in biology, medical technology or a related science, or offer the bachelor's degree upon completion of the program. The programs generally involve nine months of intensive cytogenetic training, with three months spent on the course work and six months spent on the program working in a full service laboratory. Persons successfully completing the training programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification in Cytogenetics [CLSp(CG)]. Technologists who receive "on-the-job-training" in Cytogenetics must work in a laboratory for one year before they are eligible to sit for the examination. There are always positions available for certified Cytogenetic Technologists in laboratories all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Currently, there is an extreme shortage of Cytogenetic Technologists and the demand will continue to grow yearly. GRADUATE SCHOOL: If a person desires greater independence in your work, more advanced degrees are useful. A master's degree may lead to a profession as a laboratory manager or supervisor, a genetic counselor, an industrial production manager, director of an environmental mutagen screening program, of a high school or junior college teacher. WAGES & BENEFITS: Nationally, the mean salary for Cytogenetic Technologists with less than one year of experience (trainees without certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics [CLSp(CG)]) in the USA is $28,860/year. The mean salary for certified technologists is $34,982/year. In the work force, employers normally provide, or assist with health and life insurance, retirement plan benefits, paid vacations and sick leave. JOB REWARDS: Cytogenetic Technologists are accorded the same level of responsibility in the laboratory as that of their counterparts in medical technology. The profession is rewarding and exacting; decisions made by Cytogenetic Technologists have direct impact on patient care, family counseling, and future medical care. MOLECULAR TECHNOLOGIST REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree (B.S. or B.A.) in a scientific discipline, or medical technology. Credentialing as a Certified Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology [CLSp(MB)] is recommended. Without CLSp(MB) certification, one to two years previous laboratory work experience is preferred. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Clinical and research laboratories in universities and in the private sector. Exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious agents is a job risk. Standard laboratory safety regulations must be maintained to avoid contamination or injury to yourself or others. The technologist must have a thorough understanding of the principles of molecular biology; the ability to work independently in an organized way with attention to detail is essential. JOB DUTIES: Molecular biology is a highly specialized discipline that studies DNA and its relationship to disease or inheritance patterns. Duties include the extraction of DNA or RNA from a variety of specimens for use in Southern blot or PCR analysis. Digestion or amplification of DNA, electrophoresis, blotting, hybridization, and interpretation of hybridization patterns may be involved. MOLECULAR STATEMENTS OF COMPETENCE: The Statements of Competence for Molecular Genetic Technologists is a comprehensive analysis of all the knowledge and skills necessary for molecular genetic testing. It was first created as a necessary part of the development of the NCA molecular certification exam. A review of the statements gives one a good idea of the duties performed and the knowledge needed to be a competent molecular genetic technologist. The best way to maintain that competency is to become and remain certified through the NCA exam. Click here to view the Molecular Statements of Competence. HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING: Students with an interest in any area of science should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Genetics is an experimental science requiring use of the scientific method: proposing a hypothesis and experimentally testing its validity. Computer science provides good exposure to the scientific method and familiarity with computers is always useful. Summer research programs offered in conjunction with academic and research institutions may provide invaluable hands-on experience in laboratory work. Inquiries about these types of programs may be directed to the biology departments of local colleges or universities. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: Students should take courses in all the sciences to solidify understanding of basic concepts. Specialization in genetics at the undergraduate level is unusual; it is more common to major in biology or biochemistry, taking as many genetics courses as possible. It is a good idea to do some independent research during the academic year and/or in the summer. In addition, a student may wish to explore summer research opportunities or volunteer experiences in laboratories of local hospitals, commercial companies or research institutions. The undergraduate bachelor's degree culminates study that is not usually research oriented, so a graduate will not be trained at this stage to direct an independent research program. Nonetheless, with a solid foundation in science course-work and some laboratory experience, the undergraduate bachelor's degree may lead to a career as a genetic research technologist or a molecular technologist trainee eligible to work under the supervision of someone with more advanced training or NCA credentialed as a Certified Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology [CLSp(MB)]. POST-GRADUATE MOLECULAR TRAINING PROGRAMS: Some institutions offer a molecular training program which will culminate in a bachelor's degree; however, most programs require a bachelor's degree in biology, medical technology or a related science prior to beginning course work. The programs generally involve nine months of intensive molecular training, with three months spent on the course work and six months spent working in a full service laboratory. A full service molecular bilogy laboratory is defined by the NCA "as one capable of providing individuals with knowledge and practical experience in all aspects of molecular analysis including, but not limited to, recombinant DNA technologies, polymerase chain reaction, and hybridization techniques." Persons successfully completing the training programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification in Molecular Biology [CLSp(MB)]. Technologists who receive "on-the-job-training" in Molecular Genetics or Molecular Pathology must work in a laboratory for one year before they are eligible to sit for the examination. There are always positions available for certified Molecular Biologists in laboratories all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Currently, there is an extreme shortage of Molecular Technologists and the demand will continue to grow yearly. GRADUATE SCHOOL: If a person desires greater independence in work, more advanced degrees are useful. A master's degree may lead to a profession as a laboratory manager or supervisor, a genetic counselor, an industrial production manager, a research associate with a company that manufacturers products for molecular biology, or a high school or junior college teacher. A Ph.D. or M.D. is generally necessary to direct a laboratory. WAGES & BENEFITS: No Information is available. JOB REWARDS: Molecular technologists are
accorded the same level of responsibility in the laboratory as
that of their counterparts in Cytogenetics or medical technology.
The profession is rewarding and exacting; decisions made by technologists
have direct impact on patient care, family counseling and future
medical care. For More Information: Association of Genetic Technologists Home/ Membership/ Job Descriptions/ Education/ Publications/ Annual Meeting/ Links |
