Cytogenetic Technologist

Under immediate supervision work rotations are performed in all areas of a full service genetic laboratory for specialized Cytogenetic testing including: Prenatal (Amniotic Fluid, Products of Conception (POC), and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)), Blood, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) including formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens, and Cancer cell cultures (Leukemic blood, Bone Marrow, and Bone Core specimens), subculturing, harvest, set-up, slide dropping, first and second day FISH set-up, staining of slides, PCE (plasma cell enrichement), and microscopy of all sample types.

• Patient Procedures and Activities. Follow universal guidelines for the handling of body fluids.


• Laboratories. Clean and fill specimen jars with solutions. Perform quality assurance procedures. Culture/harvest Prenatal samples, surgical tissue specimens, and bone marrow and blood specimens. Sort, number and label specimens in specified sequence. Centrifuge and separate specimens and decant supernatant. Plasma cell isolation.  Check media solutions for quality standards. Examine media and reagents for physical defects, contamination, impurities or instability. Centrifuge specimens. Grow cultures/subcultures. Identify and mark abnormal cells and label sex chromosomes on digital images. Inoculate specimens into selected cell cultures. Karyotype chromosomes from digital prints. Perform blood analysis procedures. Prepare cell suspensions. Process tissue and bone core specimens by manual or mechanized means. Stain microscopic slides. Treat specimens with antibiotics. Wash and concentrate specimens. Reject unsatisfactory specimens. Scan and examine specimens. Set-up specimen tests and controls and interpretation. Clean work area daily. Dispose properly of laboratory specimen and waste material. Operate drying oven. Wash laboratory glassware and instruments. Assign identification number to specimens. Pick up/deliver blood and other specimens from/to laboratory. Prepare and pack samples for shipment to outside laboratories. Receive, sort and transport laboratory specimens. Set-up and perform all Cytogenetics assays including FISH, Operate automated Cytogenetics testing instruments, perform quality assurance checks, collect and report quality indicator data, evaluate test results, prepare reports for review, review reports, write nomenclature on the analysis pages and mark if the case is normal/abnormal.


• Records and Patient Information. Complete forms and records. Look up and report test results as requested. Prepare lab worksheets. Report negative/positive specimens to providers. File slides. Record and maintain daily log and files of complete studies. Record and maintain records of slides and requisition slips, tissue specimens, and equipment usage.


• Equipment and Instruments. Load paper and tape into computer printer. Prepare and process packs, supplies, equipment and instruments. Clean and sterilize instruments, supplies and equipment.


• Materials and Supplies. Dispose of used syringes and contaminated materials. Inventory equipment and supplies. Maintain solutions, chemicals and automatic equipment. Replenish supplies and equipment.


• Administrative and Other. Orient and train new or less experienced personnel. Attend conferences, meetings and in-service training programs. Maintain current licensure/certification. Maintain proficiency in clinical skills. Answer telephone and take messages.


• Other Activities and Responsibilities. Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.


• Consistently supports compliance and the Principles of Responsibility (Kaiser Permanentes Code of Conduct) by maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of information, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, and adhering to applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, accreditation and licenser requirements (if applicable), and Kaiser Permanentes policies and procedures.


• In addition to defined technical requirements, accountable for consistently demonstrating service behaviors and principles defined by the Kaiser Permanente Service Quality Credo, the KP Mission as well as specific departmental/organizational initiatives. Also accountable for consistently demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to provide superior and culturally sensitive service to each other, to our members, and to purchasers, contracted providers and vendors.


• Kaiser Permanente is an EEO/AA Employer.