At the direction of the Cytology Supervisor and the Cytology Medical Director, the Cytotechnologist III prepares and analyzes cytologic specimens to detect evidence of cancer &/or other pathologic conditions. They promote excellence in laboratory services and demonstrate professional growth and development while upholding professional standards. They participate as active members of the cytology team supporting the direction of the laboratory as defined by the Cytology Supervisor, Cytology Medical Director, and Anatomic Pathology Manager.
This is a per diem, day-shift position. Responsibilities Perform cytologic analyses Review and assure correct specimen identification and fixation. Operate cytology processing and screening instrumentation according to established protocols.
Microscopically evaluate and diagnose cytologic material and correlate cytologic findings with pertinent clinical and statistical data. Review cases as requested by the Pathologist or when significant discrepancies in interpretation exist. Provide technical advice and coverage to the preparation and processing area during times of short staffing in that area.
Maintain standards of productivity as defined by the Cytology Medical Director and the Cytology Supervisor. If qualified per CLIA ’88, participate in 10% rescreening of normal GYN cytologies for quality assurance purposes. Daily review of specimens and specimen staining quality for gyn and non-gyn specimens.
Document diagnostic results, normal and abnormal, for patient records. Correlate cytology and pertinent pathology reports. Maintain statistical records on all work performed, including the number of slides and hours spent screening in a 24-hour period.
Cover FNA service Prepare and stain specimens. Determine specimen adequacy as needed. Triage specimen for expected molecular testing, flow cytometry, and soft tissue protocol based on morphology and preliminary assessment.
Quality /Accountability Participate in improving the quality of the work of the lab using the quality improvement process. Participate in activities and protocols for research initiatives as approved by the Cytology Medical Director. Participate in section teaching and training activities as requested by the Cytology Medical Director and Cytology Supervisor Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to, CAP, CLIA, & JCAHO.
Take an active role as a contributor in process improvement initiatives in the department. Act as a reviewer in Policy Tech for policies, procedures, and guidelines within the department. Demonstrate the capability of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and must either be able to correct the problem immediately or notify the technical supervisor with potential solutions to the problem.
Mentor and train new prep techs during onboarding. Judgment/Initiative Identify problems and work in conjunction with the Cytology Supervisor to make appropriate decisions for resolution. Provide technical input.
Be familiar with available resources and use them appropriately. Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills to address laboratory and departmental needs. Be available for questions about and troubleshooting specimens.
Troubleshoot equipment in prep and follow up with manufacturer technical support if applicable. Assist in the training of new personnel, as well as reviewing work and answering questions of support staff. Organizational Skills/Time Utilization Utilize and follow procedures and processes currently in place.
Consistently maintain an appropriate level of productivity. Follow through on tasks to completion and on schedule. Assist in maintaining department workflow, turnaround time, and compliance, adjusting tasks as necessary.
Dependability/Flexibility Produce accurate work under pressure while handling changing volumes of work and tight deadlines. Request help as necessary and assist others when appropriate or necessary. Demonstrate consistent attendance.
Attend assigned meetings as scheduled. Demonstrate flexibility with the schedule to handle emergent needs effectively. Professional Behavior/Conflict Resolution Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university required, unless prior to Sept. 1992 with two years at an accredited institution.
Successful completion of a 12-month CAAHEP accredited Cytotechnology program required. 2 years' experience. Required Licensure/Certifications Certified Cytologist (CT-ASCP) OR Specialist in Cytology (SCT-ASCP)