Genomics Technician, Cytogenetics Lab - Full-Time, Day Shift

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Genomics Technician in the Cytogenetics Lab department. In this role, you will perform pre-analytic procedures including receiving, accessioning, and preparing specimens for clinical testing. This department is the Cytogenetics Laboratory. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $1,500

Key responsibilities include preparation of DNA and RNA isolation from a wide variety of specimen types, performing tissue culture procedures, assisting in equipment maintenance, quality control procedures, maintaining laboratory databases, filing, ordering supplies and other supportive technical and clerical duties. May perform some kit based molecular assays as assigned. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Receives and accessions specimens on fresh, archived, and outreach specimens. Resolves issues in a timely manner. Uses both the laboratory and Genomics laboratory information systems. 
• Utilizes policies and procedures for requisition and specimen requirements to determine whether the submitted specimen can be processed for analysis.
• Assures proper storage and procedures for specimens that cannot be immediately analyzed.
• Prepare DNA and RNA samples for sequencing, including extraction, quantification, and quality assessment.
• Performs clerical duties including filing, ordering supplies, preparing statistics and other activities as assigned.
• Evaluates specimens for acceptability.
• Isolates DNA from various specimen types or performs tissue culture including set-up, feeding, and harvesting.
• Performs molecular testing for a variety kit-based CLIA waved assay assays.
• Operates and performs daily maintains on variety of instruments. 
• Follows procedures to assure patient safety, prevent PCR contamination, and achieve high-quality results. 
• Helps with troubleshooting technical issues related to sample prep, amplification, or sequencing runs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with understanding of clinical laboratory safety and quality practices. 

• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, safety and quality controls policies and procedures.

• Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through the accurate performance of routine and assigned through the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic stages.

• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, receiving, accessioning, and specimen storage. 

• Supports staff, supervisor, manager, and medical directors as assigned. 

• Communicates any pertinent information or problems with laboratory staff and supervisors in a respectful and proactive manner. 

• Poses excellent communication skills needed teamwork and cross-functional collaboration with other departments. 

• Promote a culture that aligns with departmental and organizational goals grounded in trust, shared purpose, and mutual respect.

• Analyze quality control logs and instrument maintenance records for errors, inconsistencies, and deviations. 

• Actively participate in troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve issues.

• Communicates any quality related process issues and information laboratory team and supervisors in proactive manner.

• Prepares and maintains adequate stock of reagents, standards, and control materials for the performance of testing at assigned workstation and notifies supervisor of any shortages or problems.

• Assists in training new employees, students, pathology residents, fellows, and others.

• Assists in new testing, procedures and equipment validation and implementation.

• Participates in process improvement initiatives as invited by the supervisor.

• Participates in educational and training activities to acquire new skills, maintain technical relevance and improve proficiency.

• Follow laboratory protocols in accordance with all regulatory agency requirements in order to provide results of the highest level of quality to physicians and our patients.

Required Qualifications 

• Must satisfy CLIA’88 qualification requirements for testing personnel performing high complexity testing

• Associate’s degree in medical technology 

• Excellent organizational and communication abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university 
• Certification or eligibility as medical technician
• Previous clinical laboratory experience
• Experience in Epic Beaker or similar clinical laboratory/hospitals information systems 
• Ability to operate molecular laboratory equipment

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0) 
• Shift: Day Shift, 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday - Friday & every 4th Saturday
• Unit/Department: Cytogenetics Laboratory - Hyde Park
• CBA Code: Non-Union

In this role, we anticipate that you will generally work approximately 40 hours per week.  We anticipate that you will generally be scheduled to work the Day shift, from approximately 8:00am - 4:30pm and will not be scheduled for on-call shifts.  We anticipate you will be scheduled to work 100% at the Hyde Park campus. The days of the week that you are scheduled will vary in the week, but we expect you to work weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday) every 4th weekend.

5815 S Maryland Ave

UChicago Medicine Mitchell Hospital - Hyde Park is a six-story hospital at the heart of our historic Hyde Park campus.

An integral part of our academic medical center, the Bernard A. Mitchell Hospital is home to a variety of specialty care, including our post-natal mother-baby unit, advanced imaging services, physical therapy services, dialysis access center and in-patient units. Other amenities include wireless internet, a chapel, an on-site restaurant and a gift shop.