Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Program
The UCLA Center for the Health Sciences was established in 1954 as an adjunct to the then newly formed UCLA School of Medicine. The Hospital has grown to become a large complex of facilities that includes the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and its outpatient clinics, Neuropsychiatric Institute, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Marion Davies Children's Center, the Brain Research Institute, the Gonda Center, a 24-hour 7-day a week Level 1 Trauma Service Emergency Room and a 250-bed community based facility at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital.
The Westwood Hospital complex is located on the south border of the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles and is adjacent to the community of Westwood. The Santa Monica Hospital complex is located off Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica.
The Clinical Laboratories serve the entire health system complex. The Clinical Laboratories are abundantly equipped for both automated and manual methodologies.
Training Program
The Limited License Training Programs are under the jurisdiction of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and are part of the Allied Health Training Programs of UCLA Health. The content and educational emphasis of the program is directed by the section faculty. The training programs are approved by the California Department of Public Health and include practical laboratory experience and educational lectures given by directors of the division, consultants, and experienced technologists.
The primary goal of this program is to train qualified individuals for eligibility and licensure as Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientists (CGMBS) by the State of California. Qualified individuals who successfully complete this program will be prepared for written examination in the limited license specialty as administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists [ASCP Website] and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, section 1031.3.
We provide scientific background, individual training and supervised performance of laboratory tests. Interpretation and troubleshooting skills are emphasized, followed by competency evaluation and documentation. The laboratory experience, educational lectures and conferences are supplemented by self-instructional materials, e.g., tapes, slides.
Practical laboratory training involves rotation through the following sections:
| DNA/RNA Nucleic Acid Isolation Techniques | 3 weeks |
| Diagnostic Molecular Pathology 15 weeks | 15 weeks |
| Fragment Analysis | |
| PCR Gel Electrophoresis | |
| PCR Sequencing | |
| Sanger Sequencing | |
| Real Time PCR | |
| Custom Mutation Analysis | |
| Chromosomal Microarray Analysis | 10 Weeks |
| Clinical Exome Sequencing | 10 Weeks |
| Result/Data Entry | 5 Weeks |
| Quality Assurance/Quality Control | 2 Weeks |
| Principles of Biology and Genetics | 5 Weeks |
| Review | 2 Weeks |
A teaching coordinator in each rotation will evaluate the student's performance and capabilities. Both written and practical examinations may be given at regular intervals to test laboratory performance and knowledge. Failure to maintain an acceptable standard of performance of 80% may result in dismissal.
Limited License trainees are employed as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist Apprentice and receive all benefits as a UCLA employee.
Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, without discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, politics, sexual orientation, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.
Application
- Complete a CGMBS application form before the listed deadline on the form. [Application Form]
- Documentation of baccalaureate or higher degree in biological science, chemistry or related clinical laboratory science with 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of biology, chemistry and/or medical science.
- A current resume / CV listing education, previous employment and references.
- A letter of intent including a statement of your reasons for applying and long term goals.
- Two letters of reference.
- Address, telephone number, FAX, and email address for future correspondence.
- A valid Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Trainee License issued by the California Department of Health Services Laboratory Field Services (CHSLFS) prior to the start of the program. The online application for the CGMBS Trainee license is available on the DHSLFS website [DHSLFS Website]
- Commit to training for 40 hours per week for 52 weeks as outlined in the training schedule.
As of August 15, 2016, AACRAO discontinued its educational transcript evaluation services. Until further notice, LFS will accept educational transcript evaluations completed by "Current Members" of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), and "Endorsed Members" of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations completed before August 15, 2016 will only be accepted if completed by AACRAO. Please use the links below to view the "Current" and "Endorsed" members of NACES and AICE.
Selected applicants will be invited to an onsite panel interview.
Contacts
Helen Jin, PhD
Manager, UCLA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
10833 LeConte Avenue, CHS AS-318
Los Angeles, CA 90095
[email protected]