Career Descriptions
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 accountabilities.
CYTOGENETIC TECHNOLOGIST
CYTOGENETICS
The genetics of the cell, and involves the study of chromosomes and its relationship to disease.
ABILITIES AND KNOWLDEGE
- Cytogenetics
- Ability to work independently
- Organization skills
- Attention to details
- Fine instrument manipulation
APPLICATIONS
- Prenatal diagnosis
- Diagnosis of congenital chromosomal abnormalities
- Diagnosis/risks of familial chromosome abnormalities
- Evaluate malignancies and hematologic disorders for diagnostic or prognostic purposes.
DUTIES
- Specimen processing
- Sterile tissue culture technique
- Microscope operation/Karyotyping
- Molecular cytogenetics: Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
- Analysis and interpretation of results
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
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
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.
WAGES AND BENEFITS
- Nationally, the mean salary varies by geographical location, facility and duties.
- Click here for the most recent salary survey.
- Benefits may include: health and life insurance, deferred compensation, paid vacations and sick leave.
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.
CREDENTIALING
- Certification as a Technologist in Cytogenetics – CG(ASCP) – is recommended.
- Eligibility routes for certification include either:
- Complete a Board of Certification (BOC)-approved training program in cytogenetics
- Complete an on-the-job-training program in a cytogenetics laboratory
- Certification is required in most facilities in order to perform technologist duties.
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.
- Click here to view the Cytogenetic Statements of Competence.
MOLECULAR GENETICS TECHNOLOGIST
MOLECULAR GENETCS
Utilizing nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) to discover the relationship between genetics and personal health.
ABILITIES AND KNOWLDEGE
- Molecular biology
- Ability to work independently
- Organization skills
- Attention to details
- Fine instrument manipulation
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
WAGES AND BENEFITS
- Nationally, the mean salary varies by geographical location, facility and job duties.
- Click here for the most recent salary survey.
- Benefits may include: health and life insurance, deferred compensation, paid vacations and sick leave.
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.
CREDENTIALING
- Certification as a Technologist in Molecular Biology – MB(ASCP) – is recommended.
- Eligibility routes for certification include either:
- Complete a Board of Certification (BOC)-approved training program in molecular biology
- Complete an on-the-job-training program in molecular genetics or molecular pathology
- Certification is required in most facilities in order to perform technologist duties.
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.
- Click here to view the Molecular Statements of Competence.
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS TECHNOLOGIST
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS
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.
ABILITIES AND KNOWLDEGE
- Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology
- Ability to work independently/Organization skills/Attention to details
- Fine instrument manipulation
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
DUTIES
- Specimen processing
- Determination of diagnostic genetic markers
- Mass spectrophotometry analysis
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis
- Gas Chromatography analysis
- Analysis and interpretation of results
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.
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
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.
WAGES AND 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.
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.
CREDENTIALING
- Currently there is not a certification exam available for biochemical genetic technologists.