Laboratory Education
Training and Credits
Genetics Center Training Program
For over 14 years, since 2004, the Genetics Center has been designated by the State of California as an “Approved Training Program” for Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) specialty licenses. We currently offer training programs for both Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientists (CLSp(MB)) and Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientists (CLSp(CG)). We are also a California approved Continuing Education Accrediting Agency in order to provide the continuing education necessary to maintain these CLS specialty licenses.
The Genetics Center also serves as a clinical rotation site for genetic counseling masters programs as well as providing genetic rotations for medical residency students. Given the blend of clinical genetics and laboratory testing provided by the Genetics Center, students are able get a complete overview of the field of clinical genetics.
Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist Training
The Genetics Center has observed, participated in, and contributed to the growth of the field with experience in many areas of molecular testing technologies such as Array CGH and Next Generation Sequencing. We are proud to have a state-approved molecular training program to develop the licensed personnel needed in this cutting edge field. Both programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree (baccalaureate) or an appropriate higher degree, acceptable to the state, with a minimum of 25 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology, chemistry, or clinical laboratory science. Upon successful completion of the Genetics Center Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist training program, the student is eligible to take the certification exam given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which is required to obtain the Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist License from the State of California.
Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist Training
With over 32 years of experience in cancer, congenital, and prenatal cytogenetics, including chromosome analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and Array CGH, the Genetics Center is proud to train the next generation of licensed clinical cytogeneticist scientists. Both programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree (baccalaureate) or an appropriate higher degree, acceptable to the state, with a minimum of 25 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology, chemistry, or clinical laboratory science. Upon successful completion of the Genetics Center Clinical Laboratory Scientist Cytogenetics training program the student is eligible to take the certification exam given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which is required to obtain the Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist License from the State of California.
CE Credits for Clinical Laboratory Scientists
As part of licensing Clinical Laboratory Scientist specialties, California is also requiring twelve-hours of continuing education (CE) per licensee per year. Genetics Center expanded its commitment to continuing education to also fully address this need. Therefore, Genetics Center applied for and was granted Continuing Education Accrediting Agency status by the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Laboratory Field Services (LFS). Genetics Center holds a LFS Registration and accredits its programs and potentially the programs of other approved providers to meet the CE needs of California Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientists and Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientists. To further augment the Genetics Center’s continuing education program, our personnel have access to online continuing education training courses covering a wide range of material.
Genetic Counselor Master’s Degree Program Rotations
Genetics Center contributes to many Genetic Counseling Master Programs by providing rotation opportunities. These rotations take place starting with the summer of their second program year. The genetic counseling students get to work with our senior genetic counselors and clinical geneticists. These students experience a wide variety of genetic clinics here, including prenatal, pediatric, cancer, adult, and specialty clinics.
Resident Physician Genetics Rotations
Genetics Center works with several medical residency programs to provide their residents with genetics rotations. These residents work closely with our clinical geneticists and genetic counselors. They gain insight and experience into the full range of comprehensive genetic consults and counseling and laboratory services offered here at Genetics Center.