Pediatrics - Medical Lab Technician (Cytogenetics)

About the role

The Shivanand R Patil Cytogenetics and Molecular lab, within the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, is seeking a medical laboratory technician. The lab utilizes molecular and cytogenetic techniques, including chromosome analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) chromosomal microarray (CMA), and genome sequencing for diagnosis or treatment in cancer and constitutional genetic disorders. In this role, the laboratory technician will perform components of cytogenetic and molecular studies according to established laboratory protocols and work to maintain and improve the clinical testing environment, capabilities and quality of data in the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform high complexity testing on clinical biological specimens such as blood, bone marrow, tissue and body fluids.
• Able to properly manage time based on established priorities.
• Perform appropriate documentation and maintain accurate and legible records.
• Perform routine quality control, maintenance, calibration, and assist in troubleshooting of laboratory instruments.
• Evaluate quality control results and initiate corrective action when QC metrics are not acceptable.
• Maintain inventory and orders supplies as needed.
• Perform a variety of cytogenetic procedures that may include:
• Cell culture and harvest
• Slide preparation, chromosome banding and karyotype analysis.
• FISH slide preparation and analysis.
• DNA extraction and processing DNA for applications including PCR, chromosomal microarray (CMA) and next generation sequencing (NGS)
• Begin and ensure proper execution of analytic pipelines for both CMA and NGS clinical tests.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical laboratory science, or medical technology program from an accredited institution, or: Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or a categorical/specialist certification in the appropriate laboratory discipline or eligible from American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA), or: Successfully completed an official US military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician).
• Experience: Six months to one year experience with project coordination including time management, decision making, and self-direction in biology, chemistry or allied health or a similar discipline.

Qualifications

• Greater than two years of demonstrated experience working in either a clinical laboratory and/or a molecular research laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience with DNA extraction using established protocol.
• Knowledge of chromosomal microarray (CMA) and/or next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.

Benefits

No specific benefits are mentioned in the job posting.

Pay

No specific pay information is provided in the job posting.

Schedule

No specific schedule information is provided in the job posting.

About the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics

The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is a national leader in pediatric medicine. The Department's mission is to provide outstanding care to the children of Iowa and beyond by being a leader in state-of-the-art clinical care to children, performing cutting-edge research to find new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses, and educating the next generation of pediatric health care providers. The Department comprises the medical and research staff of UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s top-ranked pediatric care and research institutions, and Iowa’s only comprehensive children’s hospital.

About the Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics

The Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics is committed to excellence in providing comprehensive services for children, adults and prenatal patients in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of genetic conditions. The Division's multidisciplinary team is comprised of board-certified medical geneticists, a molecular genetic pathologist, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, nurses, and dietitians. Our clinics include General Genetics Clinics, Metabolic Genetics Clinics, Connective Tissue Disorder Clinics, Neurofibromatosis Clinics and Outreach Genetics Clinics. Genetic diseases and disorders affect families as well as individuals. The medical team provides the information, support and follow-up needed to make informed decisions. Our medical genetics team collaborates with state and federal agencies, educators, researchers, support groups and others to provide the latest information and treatment options for Iowans and their families.