Case studies: Clinical cytogeneticist: Hannah

Hannah has a degree in biological sciences. She is a State Registered Clinical Scientist, working as a clinical cytogeneticist.

Hannah graduated in 2003, gaining a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Warwick. Having enjoyed her degree, she decided she wanted a career within the subject, possibly working within the healthcare sector.

After applying to an online advertisement, Hannah successfully gained a place on the clinical scientist training scheme in the discipline of cytogenetics. The first two years, known as A-grade training, included a structured training programme approved by the Association for Clinical Cytogeneticists (ACC). During this time Hannah rotated through the different sections within the laboratory, completing modules in postnatal cytogenetics (bloods), prenatal cytogenetics (amniotic fluids), leukaemia and related disorders, molecular cytogenetics and a four-month research project. The training scheme involved two week-long residential courses, daily support from the laboratory, and self-directed study. After two years Hannah gained her Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Cytogenetics.

Following the A-grade training, Hannah undertook two further years of training as a pre-registration scientist. This involved a second rotation through the laboratory, where she undertook further training in chorionic villus samples, tumour samples and chromosome breakage diseases. The pre-registration period is really a consolidation phase, which aims to increase your knowledge and experience by day-to-day working within the laboratory.

After four years, Hannah submitted a portfolio of training, enabling her to register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) to become a State Registered Clinical Scientist. State registration provides assurance to service users and patients that clinical scientists are trained to an appropriate standard in order to maintain the best possible service.

There are several different sections within the laboratory, and Hannah is currently working as part of the chorionic villis sample (CVS) team within the prenatal section. CVS samples are received from pregnant women identified as being at risk of having a chromosomally abnormal pregnancy, for example, Down’s syndrome. Chorionic villus tissue is cultured for approximately 7-14 days and harvested to produce metaphase cells for analysis. One of the main tasks of a cytogeneticist is to analyse chromosome preparations using a microscope in order to identify possible chromosome abnormalities. Following analysis, the findings are interpreted and a report is produced, which is sent to the referring doctor. It is essential to have a methodical approach to chromosome analysis and good analytical skills to help interpret what you may find. As a cytogeneticist there is no direct patient contact, however the results of cytogenetic investigations are often crucial for patient management.

Good interpersonal and communication skills are an important skill to possess. As a clinical scientist you work closely with a team of colleagues and often have contact with other clinical and healthcare staff, e.g. doctors and midwives, other pathology disciplines and staff within other UK genetics laboratories. It is important to be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to users of the service.

Clinical scientists are responsible for keeping their knowledge up to date, so a proportion of the job involves reading journals, attending conferences and seminars. A certain amount of self-directed learning is required. Clinical scientists also take part in auditing of data to monitor the service and some experimental work to improve and develop new tests. There is also a supervisory element to the role, which involves supervision of the culture work carried out by the technical staff, maintaining rotas and staff training.

Hannah enjoys the varied day-to-day activities and the mental challenges of her role. She feels her job is relevant, directly affecting patient management, which makes the job very rewarding.