Cytogenetic Technical Specialist

The Cytogenetics Laboratory at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-East Bank has an exciting opportunity  for a fulltime Tissue Culture Cytogenetic Technical Specialist, Monday-Friday days, rotating weekends/holidays 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 with automation including: Tissue culture processing, Chromosome Microarray, Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), and G-banding chromosome analysis to obtain results that guide patient care.

Teams within the Cytogenetics lab, include Tissue Culture and Specimen Management, Oncology, Constitutional, Prenatal, FISH, and Array Genomic Analysis teams and Medical Director group, 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 utilizing both automated and manual methodologies. They provide stained slides for G-band chromosome analysis and cell pellets for FISH processing. 

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.

We offer competitive Benefits, including Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement.

This position is eligible for a $5000 sign on bonus.

The Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Technical Specialist- Tissue Culture has direct responsibilities for the technical operations of the Cytogenetics laboratory. This includes acting as an expert technical resource for team members focusing on the technologies and methods applied to all specimen processing. This may include tissue culture, conventional G Band, Microarray, and/or FISH analysis. This role is also responsible for directing workflow to ensure the accurate, efficient, and most cost-effective testing.  This position is also a primary resource for compliance, regulatory and quality assurance activities.

Job Expectations:

• Assumes responsibility for the technical operations of the Tissue Culture Section of the Cytogenetics Laboratory and participates in planning and financial management as appropriate.
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic procedures including waived, moderate, or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88.
• Directs workflow in the daily operations of the Cytogenetics laboratory including case preparation for technical staff, Acting as a technical resource for staff in problem solving, review case data for accuracy, determining when recheck or other intervention is needed, and coordinates with other section partners to ensure specimen data is coordinated and complete, as necessary.
• Communication of information to providers to investigate and resolve incongruent results.
• Partners with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate quality and performance measures are in place to meet any policy, compliance, or regulatory requirements.
• Partners with key stakeholders on new test/procedure development.
• Responsible for section quality improvement program and related projects.
• Coordinates the preparation of the Cytogenetics lab for inspection by accrediting agencies.
• Facilitates the onboarding of new section staff in laboratory operations including routine and complex testing methodology, instrumentation, and information systems, documenting progress, developing learning plans and providing feedback to both employee and leader.
• Acts as resource for laboratory information systems functions coordinating change and implementation requests as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological science, clinical laboratory science, or medical technology

Experience

• 3 years of Cytogenetics experience in G-bands, FISH, or Microarray

License/Certification/Registration

• Eligible for ASCP Cytogenetics certification within one year of hire, must obtain within 1 years of hire as a condition of employment

Preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Genetics, Molecular or related science

Experience

5 years of Cytogenetics experience in Tissue Culture, G-bands, FISH, or Micro Array

License/Certification/Registration

ASCP certification in Cytogenetics (CG) or MLS