Cytotechnologist

3675 Anatomical Pathology

Schedule: Day Shift. 40 hours weekly. 8:00am – 5:00pm

Type additional details specific to position and/or department.

About The Position

Primary screening of GYN and non-GYN samples as well as specimen preparation of GYN and non-GYN specimens, including cell block assembly. The operation of equipment and maintaining daily maintenance logs of that equipment, including GYN and non-GYN stainers. FNA and surgical touch prep adequacy in radiology procedures and assisting with bone marrows for oncology. Opportunity to gross specimens in histology.

Overview Of Responsibilities

Setup of non-admit, inpatient, and outpatient cytology specimens:

• Enters non-admit patients in Lab Information System following documented procedures.
• Logs in specimens received.
• Places computer label on requisitions.
  
  

Preparation Of GYN And NON-GYN Specimens For Screening

• Arranges GYN smears following documented procedures.
• Inspects patient slides for proper identification and condition.
• Records unacceptable specimens received in Q.C. logbook.
• Prepares ThinPrep slides following documented procedures using a Hologic device.
• Assigns numerical identification following documented procedures.
  
  

Performs Staining Procedures

• Stains GYN and NON-GYN slides separately following documented procedures.
• Maintains the slide stainer, changes solutions as required, and keeps the area clean.
• Coverslips and labels slides following documented procedures.
  
  

Screens Cytology Slides

• The cytotechnologist is responsible for documenting:
• The slide interpretation results of each gynecologic and non-GYN cytology case he or she examined or reviewed (as specified in
• 493.1274(c));
  
  

ii. For each 24-hour period, the total number of slides examined or reviewed in the laboratory as well as the total number of slides examined or reviewed in any other laboratory or for any other employer;

iii. The number of hours spent examining slides in each 24-hour period.

• Screens no more than 80 previously unscreened slides within six (6) hours each day.
• Documents daily work performance.
• Reviews previous Pap smear reports with current ones when such information is available.
• Flags abnormal slides to be reviewed by the Pathologist.
• Signs out all negative GYN cases.
• Includes a specimen adequacy statement with each report.
  
  

Enters a Diagnosis In Computer System

• Uses the documented reporting format when entering results in the computer.
• Verifies results of all negative GYN cases in the computer.
• Calls Critical Reports to clinician.
  
  

Assists Clinicians and Pathologists with Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy procedures:

• Schedules/communicates FNA procedures with clinicians.
• Adequacy assessment at procedure on FNA slides and/or touch prep slides.
• Follows documented procedures in processing FNA specimens.
• Screens all slides, flags abnormal cells, and refers each case to pathologist.
• Records FNA results following documented procedures.
  
  

General

• Performs all procedures according to procedure manuals.
• Learns new procedures as added.
• Performs procedures within stated turnaround times.
• Analyzes control material for each procedure and records results following documented procedures.
• When 10% of negative cases are flagged for QC, the slides and requisitions are transferred to be rescreened by either the anatomic pathology manager or staff members with at least three years of cytology experience.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work area.
• Attends and assists during procedures in outpatient surgery, interventional radiology, CT scan, ultrasound, and assists on bone marrows.
• Adheres to all requirements of state and federal law.
• Ability to solve most problems and handle difficult situations with little or no supervision. Has written or oral communication skills adequate to comprehend technical material and communicate with medical professionals.
• Interacts with and/or performs clinical laboratory examinations on patients of all ages.
• May be required to oversee the work of non-independent practitioners and trainees.
• Participates in hospital and departmental quality assessment and improvement (QA & I) activities as required, including CAP proficiency slides for GYN, non-GYN, and FNA specimen types.
  
  

Other Operational Duties Available Include

Assisting pathology send outs when applicable by preparing mailings or looking at case slides to determine if the sample is satisfactory for reference laboratory testing based on tumor percentage.

Opportunity to perform high complexity testing in histology in the form of grossing surgical specimens.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

Education & Experience

Education required: Graduated from a school of cytotechnology accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or other organization approved by HHS.

Or

Be certified in cytotechnology by a certifying agency approved by HHS;

Or

Before September 1, 1992

• Have successfully completed 2 years in an accredited institution with at least 12 semester hours in science, 8 hours of which are in biology; and
  
  

ii. Have had 12 months of training in a school of cytotechnology accredited by an accrediting agency approved by HHS; or

iii. Have received 6 months of formal training in a school of cytotechnology accredited by an accrediting agency approved by HHS and 6 months of full-time experience in cytotechnology in a laboratory acceptable to the pathologist who directed the formal 6 months of training; or

• Have achieved a satisfactory grade to qualify as a cytotechnologist in a proficiency examination approved by HHS and designed to qualify persons as cytotechnologists; or
  
  

Before September 1, 1994, Have Full-time Experience Of At Least 2 Years Or Equivalent Within The Preceding 5 Years Examining Slide Preparations Under The Supervision Of a Qualified Physician, And Before January 1, 1969, Must Have

• Graduated from high school.
• Completed 6 months of training in cytotechnology in a laboratory directed by a pathologist or other physician providing cytology services; and
• Completed 2 years of full-time supervised experience in cytotechnology; or
  
  

On Or Before September 1, 1994, Have Full-time Experience Of At Least 2 Years Or Equivalent Examining Cytology Slide Preparations Within The Preceding 5 Years In The United States Under The Supervision Of a Qualified Physician Under And

• On or before September 1, 1995, have met the requirements in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this section.
  
  

Minimum experience required to be considered for the position – graduate.

Preferred experience - at least 3 years as a cytotechnologist.

Licensure & Certification

• ASCP certified in cytotechnology is required or pending for graduates with employment based on outcome.