Cytotechnologist

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Contributes to the Hospital’s mission by screening pap and non-GYN tests as requested in physician orders. This professional position impacts patient care by performing and triaging accurate tests as prescribed by the physician in a timely manner so clinicians receive accurate result enabling them to provide the best possible care.

Job Description:

JOB FUNCTIONS

Consistent with the PROMISE principles and inherent in a hospital environment, employees must be flexible in meeting patients’ and the Hospital’s needs. While the list below describes the primary functions of this job, all employees at Winchester Hospital need to recognize that an essential element of their job is the ability to respond to unanticipated and/or changing situations.  This may result in assuming responsibilities or tasks which are not on this list.

As part of the Laboratory team, this position requires a Cytotechnologist to be able to do the following:

• Depending on lab staffing, prepares non-GYN and GYN specimens for evaluation by following established protocols.  Ensures specimen integrity throughout the process.  Attend fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures when necessary.

• Utilizing a microscope, screens ThinPrep slides manually and by using automated instrumentation, which requires fine motor coordination and manual dexterity.  Identifies cellular changes caused by the disease process.  Provide diagnosis and triages slides for further review as necessary.

• Screens non-GYN slides to provide a primary diagnosis and triage slides and findings to pathologist for final diagnosis and sign out.  

• Troubleshoot test anomalies and system problems in a logical manner to ensure accurate tests.

• Performs quality control checks and equipment maintenance, adhering to high quality standards.

• Responds to supply and equipment issues timely to ensure optimum operations and equipment quality and long-term equipment maintenance and life.

• Maintains a clean and safe work environment presenting a professional impression of facilities and fostering our culture of safety. 

• Reviews supplies inventory, communicates supply needs and rotates supplies when new stocking is received.

• Reviews and sign-outs quality control and patient results into the electronic medical records system in a timely manner so clinicians and patients get their results as quickly a possible.  Expedites results to pathologists for stat and rush cases.

• Takes status and result requests and other questions from patients and clinicians in a timely and professional manner. 

• Maintain documentation, reports and quality checks to ensure the laboratory is in compliance with regulatory agencies, accreditation and Hospital policies and procedures.

• Assess the accuracy of the typed information by comparing the information on requisition with the information on the cytology worksheet

• Maintains reports to verify optimal operational performance.

• In the absence of the Supervisor, may be the technologist in charge of the shift, resolving operational and clinical issues in a timely manner.  Addresses immediate performance concerns and communicates issues to the Supervisor as appropriate. 

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC JOB FUNCTIONS 

• For Cytotechnologists with at least 3 years of full-time experience as a cytotechnologist within the preceding 10 years.

• Perform QC and QAR screening when needed

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a science field required, or grandfathered qualifications

• Completion of a CAAHEP accredited cytotechnology program.

Grandfathered Qualifications (A or B):

A. 2-year science degree and evidence of working experience in a clinical setting prior to 1980.

B. CT Certification (HEW or military) acquired prior to 1980

Experience:

Preferred:  ThinPrep Pap Test training, HOLOGIC Imager training

Other Skills/Knowledge:

Required: 

• For safety and quality reasons, must be able to read, write and communicate effectively in English with patients, visitors and fellow members of the hospital team. 

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Required:  Registered Cytotechnologist with ASCP certification      

LIFE SUPPORT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:  N/A

POPULATION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:    N/A

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional Commitment Requirements:  Keep abreast of developments in the field and/or licensure through continuing education, participation in professional organizations or a combination of both.

• On-call:  May be required in case of staff shortages

• Schedule requirements:  May be expected to cover alternative shifts in cases of staff shortages.  Based on workload weekend shifts may be requested.

• Travel requirements:   Expected to rotate between core lab and hospital.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Cytology Supervisor

• Not responsible for supervising the work of others

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

• The employee needs to have the physical and mental abilities to perform the duties of the position listed above using the PROMISE behaviors. 

• It is anticipated that the employee will have contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials while performing their job duties.

Pay Range:

$45.00 - $60.56

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law.  Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled