Clinical cytogeneticist

Clinical cytogeneticist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Clinical cytogeneticists are primarily employed by the National Health Service and private laboratories. This could involve anything from testing unborn babies for genetic traits to helping haematologists analyse blood samples.

Most of their work is laboratory-based: analysing patient specimens via microscopy, photography, DNA techniques, sophisticated computer-aided technology and other automated testing procedures. Other responsibilities include:

• laboratory management
• liaison with relevant medical/laboratory staff
• recording data
• writing reports and journal articles
• planning; problem-solving
• research and development.

As a genetic technologist, you would be responsible for processing and analysing samples. You could expect to earn from £21,176-27,534 up to £25,472-34,189. As a clinical scientist you will start off earning a trainee salary of £21,176-27,534, but could end up earning £77,079-97,478 by the peak of your career.

Typical employers of clinical cytogeneticists

• NHS hospitals and research centres
• Private facilities

Jobs are sometimes advertised in national newspapers, local hospital or health authority job lists and scientific journals such as New Scientist and Nature. Speculative applications may be worthwhile - the Association of Clinical Cytogeneticists can help with contact information.

Qualifications and training required

In order to begin training with the NHS scientist training programme (STP) you will need a 2.1 or higher BSc in a relevant discipline. Further research experience or qualifications are also desirable. The application process for the STP typically starts in December or January.

In order to practice as a clinical scientist in the UK you must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). You will automatically be eligible for registration if you have completed an HPC approved course, but you will need to pay a retainer. The HPC advise people to begin registration with plenty of spare time, as the process can take several months.

Research work, hospital laboratory placements and/or relevant experience gained using similar scientific and analytical techniques can be useful.

Key skills for clinical cytogeneticists

• A logical and inquisitive mind
• Research skills
• Experimental
• Communication
• Team-working skills.