Low pay, low motivation in work atmosphere - Lab Assistant Genetics Center Employee Review

Laboratory Assistants are not licensed so have task limitations since we are a clinical lab. Such entry-level staff assist how and where they can, until they become a State-licensed Trainee (which can take some time). To keep them employed full-time, they will assist as-needed in various tasks and departments (rather than being part-time or an unpaid intern, like in some other labs). Given our size and two State-approved training programs, our staff have many opportunities for cross training and growth. Many of our laboratory scientists first went through our Clinical Cytogenetics Scientist training program and then also completed our Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist training program, so they are now double licensed. Two of our Vice Presidents started with us in entry level positions and rose to management, as evidence of potential for career growth at Genetics Center. Our pay is competitive, especially considering all the training involved. Some other training sites charge tuition and/or are unpaid or have reduced pay during training. We train with full pay, and during a second CLS training program, we even train with their higher on-going pay rate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have stayed open and busy enough that we did not lay off or even furlough any of our staff, which are highly-motivated given the essential and meaningful work we do here at Genetics Center since 1986.