Cancer cytogenetics sponsorship meets needs of student and laboratory

When Barry McTavish began working in the microbiology department at Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS), he had no idea he would have the opportunity to become a cancer cytogenetics technologist.

“I passed a poster advertising an opportunity to be sponsored by CLS for the clinical genetics program at BCIT followed by a job in the cancer cytogenetics lab and thought it sounded interesting,” says McTavish. Cancer cytogenetics involves examination of a cell’s chromosomes for genetic abnormalities. This is an important component in the diagnosis of malignancies – especially those in hematopoietic, or blood cell-forming systems.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity, particularly to get a position with the cancer cytogenetics lab,” says McTavish. “I think cancer genetics will be an interesting field since it will be a challenging and expanding field as more information regarding specific chromosomal abnormalities becomes available.”

McTavish started his career in health sciences working on a casual basis at CLS in 2003 after completing a Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science. During a summer project for his degree, he worked in a research laboratory on a project involving aspects of genetics and cancer, which sparked an interest in cancer cytogenetics.

“The clinical genetics program is specialized – you have to have a background in genetics or medical laboratory experience,” says McTavish, who also has a Masters degree in Biotechnology from the University of Calgary. In fact, cancer cytogenetics is so specialized that only two institutions in Canada offer the program – one at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby; the other the Michener Institute in Toronto, Ontario.

Cancer cytogeneticists are in high demand internationally. Professionals in this field are highly marketable in Canada and the US, however practicum facilities are scarce.

“Some of the 10 students in the program had trouble getting a practicum placement,” says McTavish. BCIT accepted seven students from BC, one international student and two Calgarians. “I was lucky enough to get a practicum here in Calgary.”

Offering sponsorships demonstrates a significant commitment on the part of Calgary Laboratory Services. McTavish attended the BCIT program from September 2004 to March 2005 and is currently completing the practicum component of the program. The practicum runs until mid-October when he will write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) exam. CLS was obligated to provide a practicum placement for McTavish and offer a position in the laboratory upon completion of his practicum.

“We sponsor students to show our commitment to learning as an organization,” explains Donna Schendel, Manager of Human Resources for CLS. “We want to develop our staff and, in the end, we get a trained professional committed to learning a specialized profession. The student benefits from an education that’s paid for and a guaranteed job.”

No other sponsorships are on the horizon at the moment. However, Schendel notes that CLS would consider other sponsorships should the need arise. “We are prepared to review situations as needed to respond to operational and market needs,” she says.

 “I think it is an excellent idea to provide CLS employees sponsorship for training,” says McTavish. “Giving employees the opportunity to have further training instead of hiring from outside is an ideal way to plan for future needs in the lab.”