Variant Scientist - Cytogenetics

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Cytogenetics

Job Summary:

Performs interpretation and classification of variants identified by next generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and/or copy number analysis. The VSII can perform primary analysis on most whole exome sequencing and all associated panels (germline testing) or myeloid panels (somatic testing) with faculty oversight. Related functions include quality control and curation of variants and genes for clinical relevance. The VSII can recognize problems or complex cases for faculty assistance in interpretation. They also assist the laboratory with testing maintenance, new test development, and training. Responsible for accurate variant analysis and other duties in a manner that complies with all approved protocols. Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assure accurate and reliable clinical outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide patient-focused care in a clinical setting through accurate classification of variants identified by various techniques such as next generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and/or copy number analysis while following laboratory procedures and protocols.
• Utilize a variety of software tools to analyze clinical molecular data.
• Read and interpret scientific literature and curate variants, genes, and diseases for scientific and clinical relevance.
• Summarize genetic test results to generate high quality variant summaries and reports.
• Participate in laboratory quality control, clinical review, and panel development meetings to support improvements for current assays and processes.
• Assist with training of molecular fellows, residents, medical students, genetic counseling students, and new team members.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Diagnostic Testing (Novice): Demonstrates an understanding of diagnostic testing in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results.
• Data Analysis (Intermediate): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate data analysis in practical data analysis applications of moderate and higher difficulty. Navigates within established technology environments to locate, validate, extract, and format data for data analysis. Able to modify and run queries and standard reports from data tools and provide to users. Can identify data values and data sources. Is familiar with data modeling. Is able to interview business customers to elicit data requirements and understand the relationships between data items.
• Quality Assurance (Novice): Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, constantly striving for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in the process of establishing, communicating, and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to actually work on and improve a current business process, product, or service.
• Ad Hoc Reporting (Novice): The ability to access information from databases and prepare reports.
• Data Entry (Novice): The ability to transcribe information from the original source into an electronic system according to written and verbal instructions efficiently and accurately.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health's reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education:

Master's (Required)

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.