Cytogeneticist Scientist Licensure Program
The Program
The Cedars-Sinai Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist licensure program is designed to meet the requirements set forth by the State of California. The program is in the accreditation process through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences* (NAACLS) and is in compliance with Article 1, section 1031.2, of the California Administrative Code. This program prepares individuals to take the state-approved Americal Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics board examination. Passing that exam allows candidates to apply to receive a Limited Clinical Laboratory Scientist license in cytogenetics issued by the State of California. Completion of this program does not guarantee passing of the board exam, state certification, or employment.
* National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
Web URL: http://www.naacls.org/
Because the Cytogenetics program at Cedars-Sinai is not in affiliation with a college or university, no academic credits are available and no degree can be offered.
Course Description
This program is under the direction of Rhona Schreck, PhD in accordance with the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) Standards and Guidelines for Clinical Genetics Laboratories and the Statements of Competence developed by the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) and has a mixture of lecture instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Students will complete 35 to 40 hours per week for one year with hours from as early as 7:00 a.m. to as late as 6:00 p.m. The program begins in July and applications must be submitted by March 1.
Program Admission
Applicants must be United States citizens or have legal permission to work in the USA. Due to new regulations, foreign students may need a visa assessment. Registrants will be required to have a physical exam and be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus as well as Hepatitis A & B, and have a PPD skin test or chest X-ray. Also required is consent to a background check. This program is non-discriminatory and provides equal-opportunity. Applicants must be proficient in the English language and exhibit normal color vision. Educational requirements include:
1. A baccalaureate degree in the biological, chemical and/or medical sciences from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.75 GPA in courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or cell biology, genetics, hematology, immunology and microbiology and computer technology (or have taken courses deemed equivalent by our Program Director).
2. OR have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND have completed 36 semester hours of college course work in the biological, chemical and/or medical sciences, including courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or cell biology, genetics, hematology, immunology, microbiology and computer technology (or courses deemed equivalent by our Program Director) from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.75 GPA in science courses.
3. AND qualify for a Limited Clinical Lab Trainee license from the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services Branch (form LAB 156).
Graduates of foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Academic Officers (AACRAO) at www.aacrao.org and may be required to pass the TOEFL examination.
For more information, please contact:
Susan Davis, Cytogeneticist Scientist
Dept. of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Steven Spielberg Building
8723 Alden Drive, SSB-143
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 310-423-4987
Fax: 310-423-4009
E-mail: susan.davis@cshs.org
