Genetics Technologist III

Date Posted:

2025-05-02

Country:

United States of America

Location:

Florida - Remote

WHY JOIN FCS

At Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, we believe our people are our strength and we invest in them. In addition to having a positive impact on the people and communities we serve, associates benefit from significant professional opportunities, career advancement, training and competitive wages.

Offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages to include tuition reimbursement, 401-K match, pet and legal insurance.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FCS

Since 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute & Research Institute (FCS) has built a national reputation for excellence.  With over 250 physicians, 220 nurse practitioners and physician assistants and nearly 100 locations in our network.  Utilizing innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced treatments, we are committed to providing world-class cancer care.  We are recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, FCS offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. Our patients have access to ground-breaking therapies, in a community setting, and may participate in national clinical research studies of drugs and treatment protocols. In the past five years, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with FCS participation prior to approval.

Through our partnership with Sarah Cannon, we are one of the largest clinical research organizations in the United States. Often, FCS leads the nation in initiating research studies and offering ground-breaking new therapies to patients.

Come join us today!

Summary:
 

Manages projects and reviews processes, working independently with limited supervision as needed to support the team. Trains and reviews the work of level I and II technologists. Responsible for troubleshooting issues and is a go-to person when issues arise. Performs culture initiation, harvest, metaphase and interphase slide prep, and G-banding of bone marrow and peripheral blood specimens, performs computer-assisted and manual analysis of chromosomes for the detection of abnormalities; performs FISH processing and analysis using automated software; operates and maintains laboratory equipment needed to perform daily duties; performs daily QA/QC tasks, responsible for training new employees and trainees.

PRIMARY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs Cytogenetic and FISH lab processes of bone marrow and peripheral blood specimens

• Practices universal precautions for the handling of body fluids
• Prepares reagents, stains, and media in accordance with laboratory protocol
• Observes principles of sterile technique in carrying out daily responsibilities including the proper cleaning and decontamination of work surfaces, equipment, and instruments
• Maintains all company equipment in a safe and working order
• Monitors daily QC readings of equipment
• Performs culture initiation, harvesting, slide preparation, and G-banding for Cytogenetic analysis
• Assists in maintaining an adequate stock of commonly used supplies
• Keeps work area and records in a neat and orderly manner
• Direct harvesting of bone marrow and peripheral blood hematologic specimens for FISH analysis
• Slide preparation of interphase nuclei
• Applies probe, denaturing and hybridizing of FISH slides
• Post washes FISH slides

Analyzes G-banded metaphase spreads using ASI automated imaging system; Performs automated FISH analysis using MetaSystems software

• Required to analyze at least 10 half Cytogenetic cases within an 8 hr. workday when no other tasks assigned
• Performs analysis with 98% accuracy
• Loads and unloads G-banded slides and capture metaphases using the ASI automated capturing system
• Loads and unloads slides on the automated FISH scanner for capturing of interphase cells
• Analyzes heme suspension probe sets (including but not limited to BCR/ABL, AML panel, CLL panel, MDS panel, and MM panel) using MetaSystems FISH automated imaging system
• Ability to prepare FISH reports in LIS
• Analyzes both heme suspension and tissues manually using fluorescence microscope

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

• Ensures proper equipment maintenance, orders, and receives reagents, validates new lots/shipments of reagents/probes, ensures proper documentation on forms
• Performs validations, quality control evaluation, writing procedures, troubleshooting equipment and procedures, and performance improvement
• Identifies ways in which laboratory procedures and activities can be modified to improve upon current methodologies
• Participates in the development and/or maintenance of SOPs and master forms as required
• Reviews validation paperwork before submission; train co-workers on new procedure after validation has been completed
• Participates in and reviews CAP proficiency surveys twice a year
• Responsible for training of new employees and trainees in accordance with department protocols and company guidelines
• Maintains and always ensures the confidentiality of all patient and employee information  
• Complies with all Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to patient care, patient rights, safety, billing, human resources, and collections. Adhere to all Company and departmental policies and procedures, including IT policies and procedures and Disaster Recovery Plan
• Complies with quality control policies and procedures to ensure that all aspects of laboratory operations are performed in accordance with accepted standards and applicable laws for clinical laboratories
• Attends in-services, reads professional literature, and participates in educational programs and activities to remain abreast of developments in the field of Genetics
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Molecular or related field
• ASCP certification required
• State of Florida Clinical Laboratory Technologist license in the area pertinent to the testing being performed  

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 5 years of related experience in a clinical laboratory is required
• Minimum 3 years of experience performing validations, quality control evaluation, writing procedures, troubleshooting equipment and procedures, and performance improvement

CORE COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Analysis & Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills including solid problem solving, analysis, decision-making, planning, time management and organizational skills. Must be detailed oriented with the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, tact, conflict management, delegation skills, and diversity awareness. Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential material and sometimes emotionally charged matters.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication skills (oral, written, presentation), is an active listener, and effectively provides balanced feedback.
• Customer Service & Organizational Awareness: Strong customer focus. Ability to build an engaging culture of quality, performance effectiveness and operational excellence through best practices, strong business and political acumen, collaboration, and partnerships, as well as a positive employee, physician, and community relations.
• Self-Management: Effectively manages own time, conflicting priorities, self, stress, and professional development. Self-motivated and self-starter with ability work independently with limited supervision. Ability to effectively work remotely as required. 
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment with demonstrated ability to juggle competing priorities and demands from a variety of stakeholders and sites.
• Computer Skills:  Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook required

VALUES:

• Patient First – Keeping the patient at the center of everything we do
• Accountability – Taking responsibility for our actions
• Commitment & Care – Upholding FCS vision through every action
• Team – Working together, one team, one mission

Expectations for all Employees

Every FCS employee is expected to regularly conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner, to comply with all labor laws, workplace policy and workplace practices.  Employees are expected to bring issues of any forms of workplace harassment, discrimination, or other potential improprieties to the attention of their management or the human resources department. 

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SCREENINGS – Background, drug, and nicotine screens

Safeguarding our patients and each other is an important part of how we deliver the best care possible to the communities we serve. All offers of employment at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background screening.  Additionally, as a condition of employment, FCS requires all new hires to receive various vaccinations, including the influenza vaccine, barring an approved exemption. In addition, FCS is a drug-free workplace, and all new hires will be subject to drug/ nicotine testing. Medical Marijuana cards are not recognized.

EEOC

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) is committed to helping individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at FCS, please email FCS Recruitment ([email protected]) for further assistance. Please note this email address is intended to request an accommodation as part of the application process. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

FCS is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.