clinical genetics - csmls / scslm · 2020-02-05 · • medical laboratory professionals are...

Competencies Expected of an Entry-LevelClinical Genetics Medical Laboratory Technologist

CSMLS Competency ProfileClinical Genetics

Revised January 2016

Effective with the February 2018 CSMLS Examination

CEXM-359-H2 – January 2020

© Copyright CSMLS 2016

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science.

Contact Information

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science

Mailing address:

33 Wellington Street North

Hamilton, ON L8R 1M7

Telephone Fax

(905) 528-8642 or

(800) 263-8277(905) 528-4968

Email Website

[email protected] www.csmls.org

mailto:[email protected]

www.csmls.org

Table of Contents

Code of Professional Conduct ............................................................................................... 1

Examination Blueprint ............................................................................................................... 2

Assumptions about Medical Laboratory Science ................................................................. 3

Clinical Genetics MLT Competency Categories ................................................................... 4

Category 1: Safe Work Practices ............................................................................................ 5

Category 2: Data and Specimen Collection and Handling ............................................... 6

Category 3: Specimen Preparation and Pre-analytical Processing ................................... 7

Category 4: Equipment, Instruments and Reagents ............................................................. 9

Category 5: Analysis ............................................................................................................... 11

Category 6: Recording and Reporting ................................................................................ 12

Category 7: Quality Management ....................................................................................... 13

Category 8: Resource Management ................................................................................... 14

Category 9: Communication and Interaction .................................................................... 15

Category 10: Professional Practice ....................................................................................... 16

CSMLS Competency Profile - Clinical Genetics MLT January 2020

Code of Professional Conduct

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsarededicatedtoservingthehealthcareneedsofthepublic.Thewelfareofthepatientandrespectforthedignityoftheindividualshallbeparamountatalltimes.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsworkwithotherhealthcareprofessionals,toprovideeffectivepatientcare.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallpromotetheimageandstatusoftheirprofessionbymaintaininghighstandardsintheirprofessionalpracticeandthroughactivesupportoftheirprofessionalbodies.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallprotecttheconfidentialityofallpatientinformation.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshalltakeresponsibilityfortheirprofessionalacts.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallpractisewithinthescopeoftheirprofessionalcompetence.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallendeavourtomaintainandimprovetheirskillsandknowledgeandkeepcurrentwithscientificadvances.Theywillupholdacademicintegrityinallmattersofprofessionalcertificationandcontinuingeducation.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallsharetheirknowledgewithcolleaguesandpromotelearning.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallbeawareofthelawsandregulationsgoverningmedicallaboratorytechnologyandshallapplytheminthepracticeoftheirprofession.

• Medicallaboratoryprofessionalsshallpractisesafeworkproceduresatalltimestoensurethesafetyofpatientsandco-workersandtheprotectionoftheenvironment.

Revised November 2011 © CSMLS


Examination Blueprint

CSMLSClinicalGeneticsMLTexamsarebasedonthisplan

Category Mark %

1. Safe Work Practices 4-6%

2. Data and Specimen Collection and Handling 3-5%

3. Specimen Preparation and Pre-analytical Processing 20-30%

4. Equipment, Instruments and Reagents 10-15%

5. Analysis 35-45%

6. Recording and Reporting 15-20%

7. Quality Management 2-4%

8. Resource Management 1-2%

9. Communication and Interaction 1-2%

10. Professional Practice 2-4%


Assumptions about Medical Laboratory Science

The Clinical Genetics Medical Laboratory Technologist

Uponsuccessfulcompletionofbothanaccreditedprogram/CSMLSpriorlearningassessmentandtheCSMLSnationalcertificationexaminations,theClinicalGeneticsMedicalLaboratoryTechnologist(ClinicalGeneticsTechnologist):

• hasdevelopedabroadscientific/geneticknowledgebaseandpracticalskills• appliescriticalthinkingskillstoconstructivelysolveproblems• practicesandpromotestheprinciplesofcontinuousqualityimprovementincludingprofessional

developmentandusingpersonalinitiativetoimprovelaboratorypractices• practicestoensurethesafetyofpatients,colleagues,self,andtheenvironment• contributestothehealthcareandeducationofthepublic,promotespatientwelfare,andrespects

thepatient’sdignityandconfidentiality• isanintegralmemberofthehealthcareteamwhosharesknowledgethatisessentialtothe

diagnosisandtreatmentofdisease,promoteslearning,andcollaborateswithotherprofessionalsinprovidingeffectivepatientcare

• isresponsibleandaccountableforprofessionalactsandpracticesaccordingtostandardsofpracticeaswellaslegislationandregulationsgoverningtheprofession

• abidesbytheCSMLSCodeofProfessionalConduct• useseffectiveinterpersonalskillstomaintainaprofessionalrelationshipwithclientsandhealth

careprofessionals• usesallavailableresourcestoprovideserviceinatimely,accurate,andcost-effectivemanner.

The Client/Patient

TheclientisanyindividualwhointeractswiththeClinicalGeneticsTechnologist,e.g.,patientpatientrepresentative,healthcareprofessionals,otherlaboratoryprofessionals.

The Environment

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistispreparedtoworkinavarietyofsettingsincluding,butnotlimitedto,hospitals,privateandgovernmentlaboratories,industry,andeducationalinstitutions.

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistworksinasafeenvironmentthatisdynamicandevolving.


Clinical Genetics MLT Competency Categories

Categories Description

1. Safe Work Practices TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistPracticesaccordingtoestablishedprotocols,safetyguidelines,andexistinglegislation(e.g.WHMIS).

2. Data and Specimen Collection and Handling

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistensuresthatdatarequiredforspecimenprocessingareavailableandthatspecimencollectionandhandlinghasbeenperformedaccordingtoestablishedinstitutionalprotocols.

3. Specimen Preparation and Pre-analytical Processing

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistusesjudgmentandknowledgetoperformappropriatetechniquesonspecimensthatoriginatefromavarietyofsourcesaccordingtoestablishedinstitutionalprotocols.

4. Equipment, Instruments and Reagents

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistuseslaboratoryequipmentandinstrumentsandpreparesreagentsaccordingtoestablishedinstitutionalprotocols.

5. Analysis TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistusesscientificknowledgeandskillstoanalyzepreparations,andtoprovideaccurategeneticinformationaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

6. Recording and Reporting

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistcorrectlydocumentsandcommunicateslaboratoryresultsaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

7. Quality Management TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistPracticesandpromotestheprinciplesofqualitymanagement.

8. Resource Management

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistaddressesworkplacechallengesbyapplyingskillsinchangemanagement,materialsmanagement,financialmanagement,informationmanagementandinterpersonalskills.

9. Communication and Interaction

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistinteractsusingeffectivecommunication,teamworkskillsandinterprofessionalcollaborationwithclientsandotherhealthcareprofessionals.

10. Professional Practice TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistmeetsthelegalandethicalrequirementsofpracticeandprotectsthepatient'srighttoareasonablestandardofcare.Professionalpracticeencompassesscopeofpractice,accountabilityandprofessionaldevelopment.


Category 1: Safe Work Practices

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistpracticesaccordingtoestablishedprotocols,safetyguidelines,andexistinglegislation(e.g.WHMIS).

Number Competency

1.01 Appliestheprinciplesofstandardprecautions

1.02 Usespersonalprotectiveequipment(e.g.,gloves,gowns,mask,faceshields,aprons)

1.03 Appliesappropriatelaboratoryhygieneandinfectioncontrolpractices

1.04 Identifiesandminimizespotentialdangersfrombiologicalspecimens,laboratorysupplies,radioactivematerial,andequipment

1.05 Utilizeslaboratorysafetydevicesinacorrectmanner(e.g.,biologicalsafetycabinets,fumehoods,safetypipettingdevices,safetycontainersandcarriers,safetyshowers,eyewashes)

1.06 Labels,dates,handles,stores,anddisposesofchemicals,dyes,reagentsandsolutionsaccordingtoWHMISandexistinglegislation

1.07 Handlesanddisposesof"sharps"appropriately

1.08 Stores,handles,transportsanddisposesofbiological,radioactiveandotherhazardousmaterialsaccordingtoexistinglegislation

1.09 Selectsandutilizestheappropriatemethodforitemstobedisinfected/sterilized

1.10 Minimizesthepotentialhazardsassociatedwithdisinfection/sterilizationmethods

1.11 Appliesappropriatemeasuresinresponsetolaboratoryaccidents/incidents

1.12 Appliesappropriatespillcontainmentandclean-upproceduresforbiological,radioactiveandotherhazardousmaterials

1.13 Respondsappropriatelytoallemergencycodes

1.14 Reportsincidentsrelatedtosafetyandpersonalinjuryinatimelymanner


Category 2: Data and Specimen Collection and Handling

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistensuresthatdatarequiredforspecimenprocessingareavailableandthatspecimencollectionandhandlinghasbeenperformedaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

Number Competency

2.01 Providesinformationtotheclientonspecimencollection,transportationandstorage

2.02 Verifiesthatthepertinentdataonthespecimenandrequisitioncorrespond

2.03 Assessesthesuitabilityofthesamplefortesting

2.04 Verifiesthattherequiredclinicalinformationisontherequisition

2.05 Verifiesthesuitabilityofthetestrequestedfortheclinicalindication

2.06 Prioritizesspecimenpreparation

2.07 Entersintoandretrievesdatafromthelaboratoryinformationsystem

2.08 Identifiesdiscrepanciesinspecimenprocurementand/ordocumentationandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

2.09 RecognizesCCMGguidelinesforspecimenretention


Category 3: Specimen Preparation and Pre-analytical Processing

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistusesjudgmentandknowledgetoperformappropriatetechniquesonspecimensthatoriginatefromavarietyofsourcesaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

Number Competency

3.01 Organizesworkflowtoaccommodatechangesinpriorities

3.02 Preparesspecimensinanefficientmanner(e.g.effectiveuseoftime,equipment,andpersonnel)

3.03 Setsupspecimensforcytogeneticanalyses

3.03.01 Initiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.04 Culturesspecimensforcytogeneticanalyses

3.04.01 Assessestheculturesandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.05 Harvestsspecimensforcytogeneticanalyses

3.05.01 Assessestheharvestedspecimensandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.06 Preparesslidesforcytogeneticanalyses

3.06.01 Assessesthequalityoftheslidesadinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.07 Stainsslidesforcytogeneticanalyses,including:

• Routine• Special

3.07.01 Assessesthequalityofthestainingandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.08 Preparesspecimensforandappliesinsituhybridizationtechniques

3.08.01 Assessesthequalityofpreparationandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.09 Preparesspecimensforfurthertestingasrequired

3.10 Maintainslongtermtissuecultures

3.10.01 Assessestheculturesandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired


3.11 Understandstheprinciplesofcryopreservationandrecovery

3.12 Appliestheprinciplesofextractingnucleicacidsformoleculargeneticanalyses

3.13 Assessesthequalityofthenucleicacidpreparationformoleculargeneticanalysesandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

3.14 Preparesnucleicacidspecimensformoleculargeneticanalyses

3.15 Banksspecimensforfuturegeneticanalysesasrequired(e.g.nucleicacids,cellpellets)


Category 4: Equipment, Instruments and Reagents

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistuseslaboratoryequipmentandinstrumentsandpreparesreagentsaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

Number Competency

4.01 Appliestheprinciplesofmicroscopyincluding:

• Brightfield• Fluorescence• Inverted• Phasecontrast• Dissecting

4.02 Capturesandenhanceselectronicimages

4.02.01 Usescomputerassistedkaryotypingsystems

4.03 Appliestheprinciplesofspectrophotometryandfluorometry

4.04 Operatesandmaintainsstandardlaboratoryequipment

4.05 Recognizesmalfunctionsinequipmentandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

4.06 Preparesreagentsandmedia

4.07 Appliestheprinciplesof:

• Gelelectrophoresis• Fluorescencefortheanalysisofnucleicacids• Thermocyclingfornucleicacidamplification(e.g.PCR)• MLPA

4.07.01 Identifiessourcesoferrorandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired

4.08 Appliestheprinciplesofautomatedsystems,including:

• Geneticanalyzers(e.g.sequencingandfragmentanalysis)• RealtimePCR• Microarraytechnology

4.08.01 Identifiessourcesoferrorandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired


4.09 Understandstheprinciplesofautomatedsystems,including:

• Metaphasefinders• Nextgenerationsequencing• Roboticliquidhandlers

4.10 Understandstheprinciplesof

• Nucleicacidtransfer• Chemiluminescencefortheanalysisofnucleicacids• Beadbasedassays


Category 5: Analysis

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistusesscientificknowledgeandskillstoanalyzepreparations,andtoprovideaccurategeneticinformationaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

Number Competency

5.01 Understandstherelationshipbetweenclinicalinformation,laboratoryanalyses,diagnosesandtheirimpactonpatientcare

5.02 Analyzesmetaphasechromosomepreparations

5.03 Analyzeskaryotypesandpartialkaryotypes

5.04 Analyzesspecialstainsofchromosomes

5.05 Analyzesinsituhybridizationpreparations

5.06 UnderstandstheprinciplesofDNAlinkage

5.07 Analyzesgenemutationsusingdirectmethods

5.08 Analyzesgenemutationsusingindirectmethods

5.09 UnderstandstheprinciplesofRNA-basedtechniques

5.10 Recognizesvariantorabnormalgeneticfindingsandrespondsappropriately

5.11 Recognizestheneedforfurthergenetictestingandrespondsappropriately

5.12 Recognizestheclinicalsignificanceofcytogeneticand/ormolecularfindingsinthecontextofthepatient'sconditionandrespondsappropriately

5.13 Assessesthequalityofthetestresultsandinitiatescorrectiveactionasrequired


Category 6: Recording and Reporting

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistcorrectlydocumentsandcommunicateslaboratoryresultsaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.

Number Competency

6.01 Documentsproceduresandobservationsthroughoutspecimenprocessingandanalysis

6.02 Documentspertinenttechnicalinformation(e.g.bandresolution,qualityofpreparation,mastermix)

6.03 UsesthecurrentISCNsystemtodescribecytogeneticsresults

6.04 Usesthecurrentinternationallyacceptednomenclature(s)todescribemoleculargeneticsresults(i.e.HGVS)

6.05 Ensuresthatgeneticresultsareaccuratelydocumented

6.06 Provideslaboratoryinformationand/orresultsinatimelyandappropriatemanner

6.07 RecognizesCCMGguidelinesforrecordretention

6.08 Maintainsconfidentialityofallpatientinformation


Category 7: Quality Management

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistpracticesandpromotestheprinciplesofqualitymanagement.

Number Competency

7.01 Providesaccurateandtimelyresultstotheclient

7.02 Followsestablishedprotocolsasdefinedinpolicyandproceduremanuals

7.03 Performsandassessesqualitycontrolmeasures(internalandexternal)

7.04 Validatesanalysesusingselectedcontrolswhereindicated

7.05 Understandsthepurposeofqualityassuranceprograms

7.06 Documentsdataaccordingtoqualityassuranceprocedures

7.07 Identifiesandreportsdeficienciesintheworkplacethatmayaffectthequalityoftesting

7.08 Followsestablishedpreventivemaintenanceprogramsandmaintainsinstrument/equipmentlogs

7.09 Performsanddocumentsqualitycontrolonreagentsandmedia

7.10 Assessesthequalityofnewreagentsandmedia

7.11 Ensuresthatthespecimeniscorrectlyidentifiedatalltimes

7.12 Appliescontinuousqualityimprovementtechniquesandriskmanagementprocessestoensurequalityclinicallaboratoryservices


Category 8: Resource Management

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistaddressesworkplacechallengesbyapplyingskillsinchangemanagement,materialsmanagement,financialmanagement,informationmanagementandinterpersonalskills.

Number Competency

8.01 Demonstratestheknowledgeofchangemanagementstrategies

8.01.01 Anticipates,contributesto,respondsto,andeffectivelyworksinachangingenvironment

8.02 Demonstrateseffectivetimemanagement

8.03 Demonstratesinformationmanagementskills

8.03.01 Usesinformationtomakeinformeddecisions

8.04 Demonstratestheknowledgeofinventorycontrol

• Initiatesreorderingofreagentsandsuppliesasrequired

8.05 Contributestotheefficientuseofhealthcareresources


Category 9: Communication and Interaction

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistinteractsusingeffectivecommunication,teamworkskillsandinterprofessionalcollaborationwithclientsandotherhealthcareprofessionals.

Number Competency

9.01 Practiceseffectivecommunicationwithclientsandotherhealthcareprofessionals,including:

• Activelistening• Verbalcommunication• Non-verbalcommunication• Writtencommunication• Identifyingbarrierstoeffectivecommunication• Usingtechnologyappropriatelytofacilitatecommunication

9.02 Demonstratesinterpersonalskillswheninteractingwithclientsandhealthcareprofessionals

9.02.01 Recognizessignsofindividualandgroupstress

9.02.02 Demonstratesempathyinassistingcolleaguestodealwithstress

9.02.03 Demonstratestheuseofconflictresolutionskills

9.03 Demonstrateseffectiveteamworkskills

9.04 Demonstratesinterprofessionalcollaborationindealingswithotherhealthcareprofessionals


Category 10: Professional Practice

TheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistmeetsthelegalandethicalrequirementsofpracticeandprotectsthepatient’srighttoareasonablestandardofcare.Professionalpracticeencompassesscopeofpractice,accountabilityandprofessionaldevelopment.

Number Competency

10.01 Takesresponsibilityandisaccountableforprofessionalbehaviour

• isawarethatbreachesofstandardsofpracticemayleadtodisciplinaryand/orlegalaction

10.02 PromotestheimageandstatusofClinicalGeneticsTechnologistsasmembersofthehealthcareteambymaintaininghighstandardsofpractice

10.03 ClarifiestherolesandresponsibilitiesoftheClinicalGeneticsTechnologisttootherhealthcareprofessionalswherenecessary

10.04 PromotesanawarenessandunderstandingofthecontributionthattheClinicalGeneticsTechnologistprovidestotheconsumerandthepublic

10.05 Participatesintrainingandprofessionaldevelopment,andsharesnewknowledgewithotherhealthcareprofessionals

10.06 Keepsthewelfareandconfidentialityofthepatientparamountatalltimesandrespectsthedignity,values,andbeliefsoftheindividual

10.07 Complieswithlegislationgoverningmedicallaboratorytechnology

10.08 RecognizeshowmoralandethicalissuesinhealthcaremayaffecttheClinicalGeneticsTechnologist

10.09 Seekshelpandguidancewhenaskedtoperformbeyondcompetence

10.10 RecognizestheClinicalGeneticsTechnologist'srighttorefusetoparticipateinpotentiallydangeroussituations

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science

33 Wellington Street North Hamilton, ON L8R 1M7

Telephone: (905) 528-8642 or (800) 263-8277 • Fax: (905) 528-4968

Email: [email protected] • Website: www.csmls.org

© Copyright CSMLS 2016

mailto:[email protected]

www.csmls.org