Cytogenetic Technologist

Job Overview

Fairview has an exciting opportunity for a casual, Cytogenetics Technologist (MLS/MT) at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-East Bank in the Cytogenetics (CG) department. The hours will variable as needed.

Our Cytogenetics department is a local leader in pioneering chromosomal and genomic technologies for the diagnosis and management of both inherited disease and cancer. The Cytogenetics lab serves a unique and diverse patient population with our hospital recognized as a national leader in areas like bone marrow transplantation. Our hospital has also recently been established as a rare disease center of excellence.

The 40-member Cytogenetics team utilizes highly specialized testing including:
Tissue culture processing, Chromosome Microarray, Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), and G-banding chromosome analysis to obtain results that guide patient care.

All teams within the Cytogenetics lab collaborate to provide high quality patient care and integrated patient result reports.

The Tissue Culture Team is responsible for specimen receipt, culturing and harvesting of specimens. They provide stained slides for G-band chromosome analysis and cell pellets for FISH processing.

The Microarray Team is responsible for specimen receipt, DNA extraction and microarray processing which includes DNA restrictions, labeling and slide hybridization/washing to obtain data for Microarray analysis.

The FISH Team is responsible for slide and probe preparation, slide hybridization and wash, as well as probe analysis using a fluorescent microscope.

The Chromosome Analysis Teams utilize their expertise to analyze G-banded Neoplastic and Congenital Chromosomes using computer software and/or a brightfield microscope.

In joining the Cytogenetics lab, you will be joining a highly motivated team of professional Technologists and will be assigned to one or more of our laboratory teams dependent on previous experience and laboratory needs.

The Cytogenetic Technologist functions independently in performing major Cytogenetics work responsibilities of the professional laboratory practice. The Cytogenetic Technologist performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic interpretive testing and acts as a resource for problem resolution and interpretation of Cytogenetic results including conventional GBAND, Microarray, and/or FISH analysis. The Cytogenetic Technologist may be responsible for method development research, instrument correlation, and method validation.

The Cytogenetic Technologist correlates data based on clinical knowledge, technical expertise, and other conditions affecting test results. The Cytogenetic Technologist assists in laboratory performance improvement activities.

• Follows established guidelines to obtain specimens and prioritize work.
• Assesses integrity of all specimens for testing.
• Verifies correct identification of specimens before testing.
• Follows established guidelines for determining priority of specimen testing and procurement.
• Determines and/or revises priorities for specimen procurement within department guidelines and clinical information
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing.
• Performs waived, moderate or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88.
• May assist with method development research, instrument correlation, and method validation.
• Functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of conventional GBAND, Microarray, and/or FISH analysis. ◦ Identifies normal and abnormal cells to provide FISH testing and chromosomal analysis. ◦ Performs complex molecular analysis for Microarray testing, ◦ Correlate available clinical history of patient with microscopic findings to aid in accurate diagnosis. ◦ Directly communicates results to Medical Director/Pathologists
• Operates laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedures.
• Completes specified maintenance on instruments.
• Recognizes problems and takes appropriate measures to resolve them.
• Assists with problem solving, corrective action and troubleshooting for lab procedures and unexpected events in lab operations
• Initiates proper safety or…