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Job Description

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is excited to hire a part-time weekend Cytogenetic Technologist or Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist to support the UPMC Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL)! 

This will be a daylight 20-hour per week position, working either two 10-hour shifts Saturday and Sunday, or two 8-hour shifts Saturday and Sunday and one 4-hour shift during the week.

The UCL is a state-of-the-art facility where you will have the opportunity to make an impact on life-changing medicine. Using both traditional cytogenetic techniques as well as molecular cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), the UCL performs chromosome studies on a wide variety of specimens, giving our patients the best opportunity to get the answers they need.

Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education. The Cytogenetic Technologist’s salary starts at $26.56/hour.

• Image captures appropriate number of cells on each case on the Department's computerized imaging system. Prepares karyograms for each case on the imaging system and analyzes them for the presence of chromosomal defects.

• Cleans and maintains supplies and equipment. Monitors temperature and carbon dioxide levels in incubators to ensure growth of cultures.

• Assists with the teaching and training of students and various hospital professionals.

• Prepares slides from harvested cells. Performs appropriate banding and staining procedures to ensure optimal visibility of chromosome structure.

• Performs various additional testing being able to determine when specialized techniques are necessary based on initial chromosome analysis.

• Participates in a rotating weekend and holiday on-call schedule and carries a pager. Performs techniques necessary to acquire preliminary cytogenetic diagnosis on STAT newborns. Calls physician or nurse practitioner with preliminary results. Retrieves and sets up specimens as required. Performs specimen harvesting, slide making, and/or banding as needed when on-call.

• Analyzes metaphase chromosomes on the microscope or using image analysis system. Counts the number of chromosomes and analyzes the structure of each chromosome to determine if a genetic defect is present.

• Assists Lead Technologists with QA/QI monitoring and data collection.

• Retrieves samples to process for analysis. Initiates cultures using sterile techniques following procedures to ensure optimal growth of samples. Determines the number of cultures to be set up based on the size of the sample and clinical diagnosis.

• Performs subcultures when necessary and determines the number of subcultures to be initiated from original cultures based on the amount of cell growth present. Monitors growth of subcultures and determines when cultures are ready for harvest. Harvests primary and subcultures when ready. Adjusts harvesting procedures daily based on environmental conditions and the appearance of other recent harvests.

• Responsible for following the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.

• Changes media in cultures according to established schedules. Chooses correct culture media and places in the appropriate incubator.

• Participates in the organization and direction of ancillary work performed by support and service personnel and volunteers.

• Maintains records of culture initiation, growth, manipulation, and harvests on all specimens.

• Monitors the growth of specimens and determines when primary cultures should be harvested. Determines when subcultures should be performed on non-primary cultures.

Cytogenetic Technologist:

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry required.

• 1-year job or college lab experience required.

• Analytical ability to perform advanced genetic tests, interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and troubleshoot and maintain instruments.

• Ability to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.Interpersonal ability to interact with hospital staff, students and outside laboratories.

• Interpersonal ability to appropriately answer telephone inquiries from physicians, nurses, patients and other outside laboratories concerning specimens.

• ASCP certification preferred

Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist:

• Bachelor degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry.Minimum of three years clinical cytogenetics lab experience to (a) acquire a professional level of knowledge in cytogenetics, (b) acquire expertise in the operation of equipment and the performance of clinical diagnostic testing procedures. 

• Must be certified as a Technologist in Cytogenetics by examination through the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists [CG(ASCP)].  

• Must maintain certification through continuing education credits.Successful demonstration of the completion of the competencies required by the department/unit.

• This individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.  They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department's policy and procedures.

• The analytical ability to (a) perform advanced genetic tests, (b) interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and (c) troubleshoot and maintain instruments.

• Ability necessary to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.

• The interpersonal ability to interact with hospital staff, students and outside laboratories.Interpersonal ability to appropriately answer telephone inquiries from physicians, nurses, patients and other outside laboratories concerning specimens.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• CG(ASCP) certification required and must maintain certification.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran