Course Overview
The practicum term is 30 weeks in length and begins with a four-week Clinical Readiness session on campus. The remaining twenty-six-weeks is divided between cytogenetics/FISH and microarray technology (CLGT 6607) and molecular genetics technology (CLGT 6608) training at one or more of our affiliated clinical sites. The molecular genetics technology portion of the practicum is 10 weeks in length and deals with the theoretical and technical content for courses CLGT 5506/6606 as well as methods not covered at BCIT due to time/equipment constraints. It may be necessary to locate some students to Alberta and/or Manitoba due to a limited number of molecular genetics sites.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
17.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Review and enhance practical/theoretical skills in Terms 1 and 2 at BCIT.
- Note and appreciate differences in site lab procedures with those studied at BCIT.
- Be familiar and comfortable with the operation/dynamics of the practicum site for processing, analyzing, and reporting results of patient specimens.
- Process/report cases and projects for review with senior technologist — use of duplicates and comparison to those run by staff, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Review cases being investigated using molecular diagnostic techniques and the implications of the result on patient prognosis.
- Be familiar with the role and responsibilities of the genetic technologist in the process of nucleic acid extraction, quantification, processing, analysis/interpretation, and reporting.
- Work cooperatively with fellow technologists, under the direction of the lab director as well as molecular geneticists and genetic counsellors.
- Appreciate the need for keeping supplies, solutions, and reagents from running out.
- Ensure that the students’ clinical handbook is kept up to date.
- Process newly arrived specimens in accordance with lab SOP.
- Performs laboratory procedures safely, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Prepare specimens for analytical processing, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Operate clinical practicum equipment, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Performs and analyzes the results of clinical diagnostics assays, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Perform clinical laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, in accordance with lab SOP.
- Demonstrate laboratory management skills.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner in the clinical lab.
Effective as of Winter 2026
Related Programs
Practicum in Molecular Genetics (CLGT 6608) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Health Sciences
- Clinical Genetics Technology
Advanced Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.