cinical genetics positions outside the academia?

[Saraiva]

I am a student currently doing my PhD in human genetics and more specifically in the study of the genetic basis of some rare diseases. I dont like research that much but what I really like is the molecular testing part and the genetic diagnosis, how difficult is to find a job outside the academia in this field? and which are the requirements for that kind of positions also taking into consideration that I am Spanish? I would really appreciate your advices.

[D.X.]

Hi Saraiva,

Why don't you look at Diagnostics, specifically in-vitro diagnostics (IVD)? A market leading Company here is Roche Diagnostics you can look at their Portfolio. The also do workflow Solutions via thier Cobas platform. They do R&D for Screening, diagnosis, risk stratification, Treatment Response linked to genetic markers for IVD development.

They are also leading in the personalized health care space with companion diagnostics being a platform here (lookup the Herceptin Story).

There are other companies in the IVD space, GE, Abbott, Ilumina ect. But that's someplace you can look. Being Spanish may be irrelevant as you're competting for Jobs in an international space, if they want you they'll worry about visa issues, not a big deal if you're in the EU and looking withing EU EFTA/EEA Zone.

That's one Option.

DX

[PG]

There are several companies working within this field in EU and also within Spain. This includes diagnostics as mentioned but also service companies like Sistemas Genomicos. Pharma companies and others also usually have at least some type of genomics / sequencing Groups.

Within the diagnostics/technolgy sector there are multiple companies working with next generation sequencing that are growing relatively fast at the moment.

[Saraiva]

Thanks for your answers, I have mentioned that I was Spanish because in genetic molecular diagnosis in other countries like the US, ¿it may be required an special certificate?, is it the PhD certificate in human genetics enough? I am not sure.. Thanks a lot for your help!

[D.X.]

Hi Saraiva,

Ok so you're not being entirely clear on what you're looking for? are you looking go into Genetic Counciling? i.e. to Patients? or are you looking to go into the R&D side in Industry?

If the Prior then probably you Need some form of quasi HCP (health care practioner) certificate and licensing where you may were in a clinical Setting be it private physician/care or public Hospital Setting. In this case you're subject to Country/state Level certification in a target Country of your endeavoring. Not sure of portablity accross boarders even with EU.

If the latter, no additional certificates other than, try to get a Job.

Best DX

[Saraiva]

Thanks for your answer, I was talking about the molecular genetic testing part(variant interpretation, writing reports)but not involving contact with patients or genetic counseling, I just dont know if this requires an specific certificate in certain countries as genetic testing is not regulated in the same way in every country.

[D.X.]

Ok so you mean the Person in the clinical lab running genetic samples against various markers that would then be used by a genetic Consultant/physican for thier patients/

If so then i think you Need some laboratory certication that would then credential you as a laboratory professional. In the US that's done by boads such as American Society of Clinical Pathologists where they certify you as Medical Technologist. Or some form of CLA or CLIA certificate but I'm not sure. Start by reaching out to local Hospital clinical laboratory personal, i.e. the People who are running the tests not the physicians - I know in Italy you have to take a test.

Best DX

[Sowmya]

Hi Saraiva,

You don't need any certification for variant curation type of roles. Look up jobs with titles like variant curation scientist/genetic analysis specialist/curation specialist - the only qualification for these is a background in Genetics. preferably PhD. Any kind of experience with analyzing variants would be useful as well, and would make your profile stand out. In this role, you would analyze the variants generated by NGS and other technologies for any that may be disease causing, which would then be reported to patients and clinicians.

P.S. You do need certification for Director level roles (these are the people who sign out the reports from the labs).

[PG]

I think that you will find that this is different between different countries and within US there are also differences between different states. For example I believe that for example California have rather high certification requirements for anyone working in a hospital lab. The upside with that being that if you get that certification you are competing with a much smaller Group of people for positions.

[I.K.K.]

Hi Saraiva,

Molecular Diagnostics is huge outside of academia. For variant curation/interpretation (which is what I do), you do not need certification in the US. At PhD level the only people that need to be certified are the Lab Directors i.e. the people that sign the patient reports. This happens through the American College of Medical genetics (ACMG).

Hope this helps.