Cytogenetic Technologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Cytogenetic technologists analyze chromosomes to diagnose genetic disorders, making them eligible for H-1B sponsorship as healthcare specialists. This role typically qualifies for specialty occupation status with a bachelor's degree in cytogenetics, biology, or medical technology, though employers may need to demonstrate the specialized knowledge requirement. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Cytogenetic Technologist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 23+ cytogenetic technologist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 23+ Cytogenetic Technologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Cytogenetic Technologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is excited to be hiring a Cytogenetic Technologist or Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist to help support the UPMC Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL)! This role will be scheduled daylight hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, including rotating Saturday coverage; on-call rotating holiday coverage responsibilities.
The UCL is a state-of-the-art facility where you will have the opportunity to make an impact on life-changing medicine. Using both traditional cytogenetic techniques as well as molecular cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), the UCL performs chromosome studies on a wide variety of specimens, giving our patients the best opportunity to get the answers they need.
Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education. The Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist's salary starts at $31.56/hour.
Responsibilities:
- Initiate cultures using sterile techniques following procedures to ensure optimal growth of samples.
- Participate in the organization and direction of ancillary work performed by support and service personnel and volunteers.
- Monitor growth of subcultures and determine when cultures are ready for harvest.
- Follow mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
- Adjust harvesting procedures daily based on environmental conditions and appearance of other recent harvests.
- Choose correct culture media and places in appropriate incubator.
- Place slides on microscope and determine and record the location of appropriate cells for analysis.
- Participate in a rotating weekend and holiday standby on-call schedule and carry a pager.
- Prepare karyograms for each case on the imaging system and analyze them for the presence of chromosomal defects.
- Perform specimen harvesting, slide making, and/or banding as needed when on-call.
- Determine number of cultures to be set up based on size of sample and clinical diagnosis.
- Determine when subcultures should be performed on non-primary cultures.
- Change media in cultures according to established schedules.
- Harvest primary and subcultures when ready.
- Perform techniques necessary to acquire preliminary cytogenetic diagnosis on STAT newborns.
- Clean and maintain supplies and equipment.
- Perform subcultures when necessary and determines number of subcultures to be initiated from original cultures based on amount of cell growth present.
- Perform appropriate banding and staining procedures to ensure optimal visibility of chromosome structure.
- Count the number of chromosomes and analyze the structure of each chromosome to determine if a genetic defect is present.
- Monitor temperature and carbon dioxide levels in incubators to ensure growth of cultures.
- Prepare slides from harvested cells.
- Image capture appropriate number of cells on each case on the department's computerized imaging system.
- Retrieve and set up specimens as required.
- Maintain records of culture initiation, growth, manipulation, and harvests on all specimens.
- Retrieve samples to process for analysis.
- Assist with the teaching and training of students and various hospital professionals.
- Monitor growth of specimens and determine when primary cultures should be harvested.
Cytogenetic Technologist:
- Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry required.
- 1 year job or college lab experience required.
- Analytical ability to perform advanced genetic tests, interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
- Ability to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.
- Interpersonal ability to interact with hospital staff, students and outside laboratories.
- Interpersonal ability to appropriately answer telephone inquiries from physicians, nurses, patients and other outside laboratories concerning specimens.
Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist:
- Bachelor's degree in medical technology, Biology or Chemistry.
- Minimum of three years clinical cytogenetics lab experience to (a) acquire a professional level of knowledge in cytogenetics, (b) acquire expertise in the operation of equipment and the performance of clinical diagnostic testing procedures.
- Must be certified as a Technologist in Cytogenetics by examination through the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists [CG(ASCP)].
- Successful demonstration of the completion of the competencies required by the department/unit.
- This individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
- They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department's policy and procedures.
- The analytical ability to (a) perform advanced genetic tests, (b) interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and (c) troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
Ability necessary to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
INTRODUCTION
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is excited to be hiring a Cytogenetic Technologist or Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist to help support the UPMC Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL)! This role will be scheduled daylight hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, including rotating Saturday coverage; on-call rotating holiday coverage responsibilities.
The UCL is a state-of-the-art facility where you will have the opportunity to make an impact on life-changing medicine. Using both traditional cytogenetic techniques as well as molecular cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), the UCL performs chromosome studies on a wide variety of specimens, giving our patients the best opportunity to get the answers they need.
Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education. The Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist's salary starts at $31.56/hour.
Responsibilities:
- Initiate cultures using sterile techniques following procedures to ensure optimal growth of samples.
- Participate in the organization and direction of ancillary work performed by support and service personnel and volunteers.
- Monitor growth of subcultures and determine when cultures are ready for harvest.
- Follow mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
- Adjust harvesting procedures daily based on environmental conditions and appearance of other recent harvests.
- Choose correct culture media and places in appropriate incubator.
- Place slides on microscope and determine and record the location of appropriate cells for analysis.
- Participate in a rotating weekend and holiday standby on-call schedule and carry a pager.
- Prepare karyograms for each case on the imaging system and analyze them for the presence of chromosomal defects.
- Perform specimen harvesting, slide making, and/or banding as needed when on-call.
- Determine number of cultures to be set up based on size of sample and clinical diagnosis.
- Determine when subcultures should be performed on non-primary cultures.
- Change media in cultures according to established schedules.
- Harvest primary and subcultures when ready.
- Perform techniques necessary to acquire preliminary cytogenetic diagnosis on STAT newborns.
- Clean and maintain supplies and equipment.
- Perform subcultures when necessary and determines number of subcultures to be initiated from original cultures based on amount of cell growth present.
- Perform appropriate banding and staining procedures to ensure optimal visibility of chromosome structure.
- Count the number of chromosomes and analyze the structure of each chromosome to determine if a genetic defect is present.
- Monitor temperature and carbon dioxide levels in incubators to ensure growth of cultures.
- Prepare slides from harvested cells.
- Image capture appropriate number of cells on each case on the department's computerized imaging system.
- Retrieve and set up specimens as required.
- Maintain records of culture initiation, growth, manipulation, and harvests on all specimens.
- Retrieve samples to process for analysis.
- Assist with the teaching and training of students and various hospital professionals.
- Monitor growth of specimens and determine when primary cultures should be harvested.
Cytogenetic Technologist:
- Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry required.
- 1 year job or college lab experience required.
- Analytical ability to perform advanced genetic tests, interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
- Ability to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.
- Interpersonal ability to interact with hospital staff, students and outside laboratories.
- Interpersonal ability to appropriately answer telephone inquiries from physicians, nurses, patients and other outside laboratories concerning specimens.
Specialty Cytogenetic Technologist:
- Bachelor's degree in medical technology, Biology or Chemistry.
- Minimum of three years clinical cytogenetics lab experience to (a) acquire a professional level of knowledge in cytogenetics, (b) acquire expertise in the operation of equipment and the performance of clinical diagnostic testing procedures.
- Must be certified as a Technologist in Cytogenetics by examination through the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists [CG(ASCP)].
- Successful demonstration of the completion of the competencies required by the department/unit.
- This individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
- They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department's policy and procedures.
- The analytical ability to (a) perform advanced genetic tests, (b) interpret and analyze test results noting abnormalities and discrepancies including determination of causality and (c) troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
Ability necessary to prepare cultures using sterile techniques, and to prepare and analyze slides and karyotypes.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Cytogenetic Technologist
Emphasize laboratory accreditation requirements
Highlight that cytogenetic labs must meet CAP, CLIA, or FDA standards requiring specialized training. This regulatory framework strengthens the specialty occupation argument for visa petitions.
Document your chromosome analysis expertise
Detail experience with karyotyping, FISH, microarray analysis, and cancer cytogenetics. These technical skills differentiate cytogenetic work from general laboratory positions requiring less specialization.
Target hospitals and diagnostic laboratories
Large health systems and national lab chains like LabCorp frequently sponsor visas. Academic medical centers also value cytogenetic expertise for research and clinical diagnostics.
Consider the clinical laboratory scientist pathway
Some employers file under the broader clinical laboratory scientist classification, which may have stronger precedent for specialty occupation approval than cytogenetic technologist specifically.
Highlight continuing education requirements
Cytogenetic technology requires ongoing certification maintenance and specialized training. Document these professional development requirements to support the specialized knowledge claim in petitions.
Research state licensing requirements
Some states require clinical laboratory personnel licensure. Understanding these requirements helps identify employers familiar with sponsoring international candidates for regulated healthcare positions.
Cytogenetic Technologist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Cytogenetic Technologist JobsSee all 23+ Cytogenetic Technologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Cytogenetic Technologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do cytogenetic technologists qualify for H-1B specialty occupation status?
Yes, but approval depends on the employer's petition quality. The role requires specialized knowledge of chromosome analysis, genetic disorders, and laboratory techniques. However, some USCIS officers may question whether a general biology degree sufficiently relates to cytogenetic work, so employers should emphasize the specialized training and regulatory requirements involved.
What degree requirements do employers typically have for H-1B petitions?
Most successful petitions require a bachelor's degree in cytogenetics, medical technology, biology, or closely related field. Some employers accept clinical laboratory science degrees with cytogenetic specialization. The key is demonstrating that the specific degree program included coursework in genetics, chromosome analysis, and laboratory techniques relevant to the position.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor cytogenetic technologists?
Academic medical centers and large hospital systems frequently sponsor because they understand the specialized nature of cytogenetic work. Commercial diagnostic laboratories like Quest and LabCorp also sponsor, particularly for cancer cytogenetics and prenatal testing roles. Smaller private practices rarely sponsor due to cost and complexity.
Can cytogenetic technologists apply for other visa categories besides H-1B?
The O-1 visa is possible for those with exceptional expertise in cancer cytogenetics or rare genetic disorders, but requires significant recognition in the field. The TN visa covers clinical laboratory technologists for Canadian and Mexican citizens, though cytogenetic specialization may need careful documentation. Most rely on H-1B sponsorship.
How do certification requirements affect visa sponsorship for this role?
Many employers prefer ASCP certification in cytogenetics, which requires completing an accredited training program. This certification strengthens H-1B petitions by demonstrating specialized knowledge. However, some employers accept candidates who can obtain certification after hiring, particularly in areas with technologist shortages. International credentials may require evaluation for equivalency.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Cytogenetic Technologist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which Cytogenetic Technologist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Cytogenetic Technologist Jobs