2. STAFF

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There are different legislations, structures and traditions in organising cytogenetic laboratories in Europe. In recognising these differences, the managing director may or may not be trained/ specialised in Cytogenetics or have the management skills for the day to day running of a cytogenetic laboratory without a skilled supervisor. Consequently, the management of a laboratory can vary substantially. The following staff structure can therefore only address the skills required for those involved in the daily management of a cytogenetic laboratory.

2.1 DIRECTOR/MANAGER(/LABORATORY SUPERVISOR

A senior physician or senior scientist, with appropriate qualifications, should be responsible for the overall day to day running and control of the laboratory as well as responding to enquiries from clinicians, nurses or scientists. The laboratory supervisors must have adequate qualifications, education and experience for their position. The minimum qualifications are as follows:

• M.D. with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics or
• Ph.D. with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics or
• Degree or B.Sc. or M.Sc. with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics or
• State registration with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics

The number of years experience may depend on national regulations. Moreover, some countries may require additional professional qualifications.

2.2 DIAGNOSTIC WORK SUPERVISOR /SECTION HEAD

A senior scientist or senior physician, with appropriate qualifications and experience relevant to the laboratory's operations, directly supervises all the diagnostic work in the cytogenetic laboratory.

The minimum qualifications are as follows:

• Degree or B.Sc. or M.Sc. with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics or
• State registration with specialisation in Genetics and Cytogenetics

Troubleshooting in cytogenetics (constitutional, aquired, or FISH) requires a person with specialised training and experience.

2.3 TECHNICAL STAFF

Staff members should have adequate education for the type of investigation they are performing. There should be evidence that less qualified staff are supervised by an appropriately qualified person.

2.4 TRAINEE STAFF

All trainee staff should follow a programme of training with a designated supervisor. There should be procedures in place to determine when a trainee is competent at a given technique /process.

2.5 ANCILLARY STAFF

Ancillary staff may perform clerical, cleaning, sterilisation and/or photographic work, although this may be included in the workload of technical staff.

2.6 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Administrative staff, in addition to administrative duties, may also prepare cytogenetic reports, storage and retrieval of cytogenetic records and general enquiries to the department.

2.7 MEDICAL COLLABORATION

The laboratory should have access to medical expertise on regular basis. A clinical consultant should be available within a time scale appropriate to the urgency of any foreseeable clinical situation.

Senior clinical and laboratory specialists should have sufficient interdisciplinary training to ensure adequate working knowledge of each other's speciality.

2.8 SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION

The laboratory should encourage research and scientific collaboration. For instance, if a laboratory is to generate and label its own FISH probes, an appropriate molecular biology trained staff member is required. If the individual is not employed by the department he/she should be available for advice during working hours.

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Last changed: 2008-02-05