Training

Genetics Associates Special Analyst-Cytogenetics Training Program

The Special Analyst-Cytogenetics Training Program at Genetics Associates was approved by the Tennessee Board of Health, Medical Laboratory Board in 2008. It provides a year of formal didactic and practical laboratory training, as required by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification.

Genetics Associates hires candidates, provides training, and teaches professional skills required for a career in cytogenetic technology. The start date of each program is determined by staffing needs.

Training Program Objectives

The training program provides trainees with the opportunity to develop, demonstrate, apply, and evaluate scientific knowledge necessary to achieve skills through integration of the following program objectives:

  • Demonstrate proper record keeping and quality control requirements of clinical cases
  • Practice good laboratory techniques in the preparation of laboratory reagents to proper concentration and pH
  • Practice quality control of equipment, reagents, and chemicals
  • Practice lab safety
  • Understand proper usage of the microscope and imaging equipment
  • Perform microscopic analysis of chromosome preparations which includes chromosome enumeration, identification, and grouping at the microscope
  • Understand requirements for case reporting
  • Exhibit personal and professional integrity

Admissions Requirements

Trainees must meet both requirements detailed below, if applicable.

I. Degree requirements (trainee need only meet requirements of one of the three routes). Documentation of degree should include a copy of a college transcript showing degree conferred:

Route 1

Baccalaureate degree with a major in biological science or chemistry from a regionally accredited college/university.

Route 2

Non-biological science or non-chemistry baccalaureate degree including 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college course work in the biological, chemical and/or medical sciences from a regionally accredited college/university (in addition to or as part of the baccalaureate degree).

Route 3

Graduate level degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in genetics or molecular biology from a regionally accredited college/university.

II. Applicants with foreign degrees must have completed transcript evaluation from an agency accepted by the Tennessee State Department of Health. A list of approved foreign evaluation companies can be obtained from the Board’s administrative office. A copy of this evaluation must be submitted with the application.

For more information Contact:
Medical Director: V.G. Dev, PhD, FACMG
Program Director: Sophia D. Stewart, PhD, FACMG
(615)327-4532