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How to become Cytogenetic Technologist in 2024

Cytogenetic Technologist Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.

Cytogenetic Technologist is Also Know as

In different settings, Cytogenetic Technologist is titled as

  • Certified Cytogenetic Technologist
  • Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist (CCS)
  • Cytogenetic Technologist
  • Cytogenetics Clinical Laboratory Specialist (CG CLSp)
  • Cytogenetics Technical Specialist
  • Cytogenetics Technologist
  • Molecular Genetics Technologist

Education and Training of Cytogenetic Technologist

Cytogenetic Technologist is categorized in Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Cytogenetic Technologist

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education Required for Cytogenetic Technologist

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Degrees Related to Cytogenetic Technologist

Training Required for Cytogenetic Technologist

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Cytogenetic Technologist in different industries are

What Do Cytogenetic Technologist do?

  • Develop and implement training programs for trainees, medical students, resident physicians or post-doctoral fellows.
  • Stain slides to make chromosomes visible for microscopy.
  • Summarize test results and report to appropriate authorities.
  • Select or prepare specimens and media for cell cultures using aseptic techniques, knowledge of medium components, or cell nutritional requirements.
  • Select banding methods to permit identification of chromosome pairs.
  • Identify appropriate methods of specimen collection, preservation, or transport.
  • Prepare slides of cell cultures following standard procedures.
  • Select appropriate methods of preparation and storage of media to maintain potential of hydrogen (pH), sterility, or ability to support growth.
  • Harvest cell cultures using substances such as mitotic arrestants, cell releasing agents, and cell fixatives.
  • Create chromosome images using computer imaging systems.
  • Determine optimal time sequences and methods for manual or robotic cell harvests.
  • Examine chromosomes found in biological specimens to detect abnormalities.
  • Recognize and report abnormalities in the color, size, shape, composition, or pattern of cells.
  • Communicate test results or technical information to patients, physicians, family members, or researchers.
  • Prepare biological specimens such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, tumors, chorionic villi, and blood, for chromosome examinations.
  • Count numbers of chromosomes and identify the structural abnormalities by viewing culture slides through microscopes, light microscopes, or photomicroscopes.
  • Arrange and attach chromosomes in numbered pairs on karyotype charts, using standard genetics laboratory practices and nomenclature, to identify normal or abnormal chromosomes.
  • Analyze chromosomes found in biological specimens to aid diagnoses and treatments for genetic diseases such as congenital birth defects, fertility problems, and hematological disorders.
  • Input details of specimens into logs or computer systems.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment such as photomicroscopes, inverted microscopes, and standard darkroom equipment.
  • Supervise subordinate laboratory staff.
  • Select appropriate culturing system or procedure based on specimen type and reason for referral.
  • Describe chromosome, FISH and aCGH analysis results in International System of Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) language.
  • Extract, measure, dilute as appropriate, label, and prepare DNA for array analysis.
  • Input details of specimen processing, analysis, and technical issues into logs or laboratory information systems (LIS).
  • Apply prepared specimen and control to appropriate grid, run instrumentation, and produce analyzable results.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor quality control and quality assurance programs to ensure accurate and precise test performance and reports.
  • Evaluate appropriateness of received specimens for requested tests.
  • Communicate to responsible parties unacceptable specimens and suggest remediation for future submissions.
  • Archive case documentation and study materials as required by regulations and laws.

Qualities of Good Cytogenetic Technologist

  • Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
  • Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Time Sharing: The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  • Memorization: The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
  • Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Wrist-Finger Speed: The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Response Orientation: The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Explosive Strength: The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
  • Dynamic Strength: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
  • Speed of Limb Movement: The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  • Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Night Vision: The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  • Peripheral Vision: The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
  • Gross Body Coordination: The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
  • Glare Sensitivity: The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  • Dynamic Flexibility: The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Stamina: The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Sound Localization: The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  • Spatial Orientation: The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

Tools Used by Cytogenetic Technologist

  • 1 ml pipettes
  • 10 ml pipettes
  • 2 ml cryovials
  • 25 ml pipettes
  • 35m petri dishes
  • 4 ml cryovials
  • Automated imaging systems
  • Automatic slide loading systems
  • Bench-top autoclaves
  • Benchtop drying chambers
  • Binocular compound microscopes
  • Biological containment hoods
  • Biological safety cabinets
  • Cell culture tubes
  • Cell harvesters
  • Computerized karotype equipment
  • Counting chambers
  • Denaturation/hybridization systems
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital image printers
  • Flat bottom microtiter plates
  • Floor model drying chambers
  • Fluorescent in situ hybridization FISH automation instruments
  • Fluorescent microscopes
  • Glass flasks
  • Glass water distillers
  • Heated magnetic stirrers
  • Hot air sterilizers
  • Hybridization ovens
  • Incubators
  • Interferometers
  • Inverted compound microscopes
  • Laboratory freezers
  • Laboratory microwave ovens
  • Laboratory refrigerators
  • Liquid nitrogen containers
  • Low speed refrigerated centrifuges
  • Masks
  • Media filtration systems
  • Mercury vapor lamps
  • Metaphase finding system software
  • Microarray scanners
  • Microscope camera adapters
  • Microscope filters
  • Microscope slides
  • pH meters
  • Phase contrast microscopes
  • Photomicroscopes
  • Pipette aids
  • Reference thermometers
  • Robotic harvesters
  • Safety gloves
  • Slide cassettes
  • Slide sorters
  • Steam autoclaves
  • Stereo microscopes
  • Tachometers
  • Test tube racks
  • Ultrasonic sterilization units
  • Uncooled charge-coupled device cameras
  • Vortex mixers
  • Water baths
  • Water deionizers

Technology Skills required for Cytogenetic Technologist

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • C++
  • Cell Bioscience Automated Image Capture
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Digital karyotyping software
  • Genetix CytoVision
  • Genial Genetics iPassport QMS
  • Genial Genetics Shire
  • Geniel Genetics iGene
  • Image analysis software
  • Image capture software
  • KARIO
  • Lucia CGH
  • Lucia Comet Assay
  • Lucia FISH
  • Lucia Karyo
  • Lucia Metaphase Finder
  • LUCIA MFISH
  • MetaSystems Isis Color Karyotyping
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Python
  • Word processing software