What We Do

• The genetics of the cell, and involves the study of chromosomes and its relationship to disease.

v ABILITIES & KNOWLDEGE:

• Cytogenetics
• Ability to work independently
• Organization skills
• Attention to details
• Fine instrument manipulation

v APPLICATIONS:

• Prenatal diagnosis
• Diagnosis of congenital chromosomal abnormalities
• Diagnosis/risks of familial chromosome abnormalities
• Evaluate malignancies and hematologic disorders for diagnostic or prognostic purposes.

v DUTIES:

• Specimen processing
• Sterile tissue culture technique
• Microscope operation/Karyotyping
• Molecular cytogenetics: Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
• Analysis and interpretation of results

v REQUIREMENTS:

• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry or Biochemistry
  • Diagnostic genetics
  • Microbiology or Virology
  • Molecular biology or pathology
  • Medical technology or clinical lab science
  • OR from an approved cytogenetics educational program
• Either completion of a post-baccalaureate cytogenetics training program or a minimum of one year on-the-job training
• Certification in cytogenetics from a nationally-approved credentialing agency
• State licensure as required

v WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Private laboratory and/or industry
• Hospital clinical laboratory
• Laboratories in an academic and/or research setting
• Laboratories located worldwide
• Team-oriented atmosphere
• Extreme shortage of cytogenetic technologist personnel and increasing demand

v JOB REWARDS:

• Cytogenetic technologists are accorded the same level of responsibility in the laboratory as that of their counterparts in medical technology.
• Involvement in a profession that is challenging and rewarding/A profession that is fast moving and on the cutting edge of diagnostics and research.
• The work of the cytogenetic technologist has a direct impact on patient care, family counseling, and future medical care.

v WAGES & BENEFITS:

• Nationally, the mean salary varies by geographical location, facility and duties.
• For the most recent salary information refer to the Association of Genetic Technologists web-site, www.agt-info.org.
• Benefits may include: health and life insurance, deferred compensation, paid vacations and sick leave.

v EDUCATION:

• High school preparation includes college preparatory courses as well as having a direction and interest in science.
• 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.
• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline (B.S. or B.A.)
• Post-graduate training programs are available and lead to the qualifications for certification.
• Graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in genetics and related sciences are also available.
• Master's degree may lead to a profession as a:
  • Laboratory manager or supervisor
  • Genetic counselor
  • Industrial production manager
  • Research associate with a company that manufacturers products for molecular biology
  • High school or junior college teacher.
• Ph.D. or M.D. is generally necessary to direct a laboratory.

v CREDENTIALING:

• Certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics [CLSp(CG)]
• Eligibility routes for certification include either:
  • Complete a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences approved training program in cytogenetics
  • Complete an on-the-job-training program in a cytogenetics laboratory
  • National Credentialing Agency certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics [CLSp(CG)].
• Certification is required in most facilities in order to perform technologist duties.

v CYTOGENETIC STATEMENTS OF COMPETENCE:

• The Statements of Competence is a thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful and competent cytogenetic technologist.
• Available on the web-site for the Association of Genetic Technologists. Click here to view the Cytogenetic Statements of Competence .

v MOLECULAR GENETCS

• Utilizing nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) to discover the relationship between genetics and personal health.

v ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE:

• Molecular biology
• Ability to work independently
• Organization skills
• Attention to details
• Fine instrument manipulation

v APPLICATIONS:

• Prenatal and pre-implantation diagnosis
• Risk assessment for familial cancer
• Diagnosis of many neurological disorders
• Evaluate malignancies and hematologic disorders for diagnostic or staging purposes.
• Identification of microbiological agents.
• Forensics

v DUTIES:

• DNA extraction from various cells and tissue sources
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis
• DNA/RNA sequencing
• Southern blot and related techniques
• Analyses and interpretation of results

v REQUIREMENTS:

• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Diagnostic genetics
  • Microbiology or Virology
  • Molecular biology or pathology
  • Medical technology or clinical lab science.
  • OR from an approved molecular genetics educational program
• Either completion of a post-baccalaureate in molecular genetics training program -OR- a minimum of one year on-the-job training
• Certification in molecular genetics from a nationally approved credentialing agency.
• State licensure as required.

v WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Private laboratory and/or industry
• Hospital clinical laboratory
• Laboratories in an academic and/or research setting
• Laboratories located worldwide
• Team orientated atmosphere
• Extreme shortage of molecular genetics technologists and increasing demand

v JOB REWARDS:

• Molecular Genetic technologists are accorded the same level of responsibility in the laboratory as that of their counterparts in medical technology.
• Involvement in a profession that is challenging and rewarding. A profession that is fast moving and on the cutting edge of diagnostics and research.
• Work of the molecular genetic technologist has direct impact on patient care, family counseling, and future medical care.

v WAGES & BENEFITS:

• Nationally, the mean salary varies by geographical location, facility and job duties.
• For the most recent salary information refer to the Association of Genetic Technologists web-site, www.agt-info.org.
• Benefits may include: health and life insurance, deferred compensation, paid vacations and sick leave.

v EDUCATION:

• High school preparation includes college preparatory courses as well as having a direction and interest in science.
• 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.
• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline (B.S. or B.A.)
• Post-graduate training programs are available and lead to the qualifications for certification.
• Graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in genetics and related sciences are also available.
• Master's degree may lead to a profession as a
  • Laboratory manager or supervisor
  • Genetic counselor
  • Industrial production manager
  • Research associate with a company that manufacturers products for molecular biology
  • High school or junior college teacher.
• Ph.D. or M.D. is generally necessary to direct a laboratory.

v CREDENTIALING:

• Certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology [CLSp(MB)] is recommended.
• Eligibility routes for certification include either:
  • Complete a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences approved training program in molecular biology
  • Complete an on-the-job-training program in molecular genetics or molecular pathology
  • National Credentialing Agency certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology [CLSp(MB)].
  • Board of Registry certification as a technologist in Molecular Pathology, MP(ASCP).
• Certification is required in most facilities in order to perform technologist duties.

v MOLECULAR GENETIC 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 molecular genetic technologist.
• Available on the web-site for the Association of Genetic Technologists. Click here to view the Molecular Statements of Competence .

• Evaluation and/or diagnosis of patients and/or families with inherited metabolic disease, monitoring or treatment
• Distinguishing heterozygous carriers from non-carriers by biochemical and/or enzyme analysis of physiological fluids and tissues

v ABILITIES & KNOWLDEGE:

• Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology
• Ability to work independently/Organization skills/Attention to details
• Fine instrument manipulation

v APPLICATIONS:

• Newborn screening
• Detection of inborn errors of metabolism
• Diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases
• Monitoring of treatment
• Distinguishing heterozygous carriers from non-carriers by biochemical and/or enzymes analysis

v DUTIES:

• Specimen processing
• Determination of diagnostic genetic markers
• Mass spectrophotometry analysis
• High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis
• Gas Chromatography analysis
• Analysis and interpretation of results

v REQUIREMENTS:

• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Molecular biology or pathology
  • Medical technology or clinical lab science.
• State licensure as required.

v WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Private laboratory and/or industry/Hospital clinical laboratory
• Laboratories in an academic and/or research setting
• Laboratories located worldwide
• Team orientated atmosphere
• Extreme shortage of biochemical genetics technologist personnel and increasing demand

v JOB REWARDS:

• Biochemical Genetics technologists are accorded the same level of responsibility in the laboratory as that of their counterparts in medical technology.
• Involvement in a profession that is challenging and rewarding/A profession that is fast moving and on the cutting edge of diagnostics and research.
• Work of the biochemical genetics technologist has a direct impact on patient care, family counseling, and future medical care.

v WAGES & BENEFITS:

• Nationally, the mean salary varies by geographical location, facility and duties.
• Benefits may include: health and life insurance, deferred compensation, paid vacations and sick leave.

v EDUCATION:

• High school preparation includes college preparatory courses as well as having a direction and interest in science.
• 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.
• A baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline (B.S. or B.A.) –and/or-
• A baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology
• Post-graduate training programs are available and lead to the qualifications for certification (when a certification examination is established).
• Graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in genetics and related sciences are also available.
• Master's degree may lead to a profession as a:
  • Laboratory manager or supervisor
  • Genetic counselor
  • Industrial production manager
  • Research associate with a company that manufacturers products for molecular biology
  • High school or junior college teacher.
• Ph.D. or M.D. is generally necessary to direct a laboratory.

v CREDENTIALING:

• Currently there is not a certification exam available for biochemical genetic technologists.

v      For More Information:

v Association of Genetic Technologists
P.O. Box 15945-288
Lenexa, KS 66285
Phone: (913) 895-4605
Fax: (913) 895-4652
E-mail: agt-info@goamp.com