Cytologist, Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

To be fully engaged in providing No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship by: working as a team to maintain responsible attitudes, analyzing cytological specimens to provide quality results and using resources efficiently.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Quality/No Harm:

Complies with the department policies/processes/procedures to provide accurate results, quality products and services with ≤2 errors per year. Assures valid results as evidenced by zero patient or sample identification errors in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases of laboratory procedures. Understands and applies sample quality control and equipment quality control per department policy as measured by review of quality control logs with ≤5 errors per year.

Customer Experience:

Complies with "I CARE" values as measured by no positive disciplinary action per Human Resources Policy 4.01.

Stewardship:

Manages daily workload in a productive manner.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

As required for licensure by State of Florida and in accordance with CLIA guidelines. Appropriate certification by the ASCP or other similar accrediting agencies required. Must be willing and able to work with bio-hazardous/toxic materials following OSHA guidelines. Excellent human relations skills. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent communication skills. Strong computer skills. Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control procedures. Must be able to respond to a “call in” if needed within 30 - 45 minutes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Visual acuity and manual dexterity to perform clinical/technical tasks. Must pass color blindness test. Must be able to sit for extended periods (2-3 hours) Must be able to view in a microscope for the majority of the working hours. Ability to lift 10-20 lbs unassisted.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to function in a highly stressful environment. Responsible for problem solving situations. Able to make independent decisions Competent and confident in interpretation of all tests performed in the section.

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT/SKILLS CHECKLIST:

Behavioral

Commitment to our Health First Values (I-CARE) Incorporates the Health First Values (I-CARE) of "What We Believe and How We Behave" into daily work and interactions with patients, customers and associates: Integrity Compassion Accountability Respect Excellence Laboratory Professionalism Exhibits a positive attitude, is flexible in thinking and amenable to change. Works on a rotational basis to cover weekends, holidays, and other hours outside of normal shift when needed to provide adequate staffing of the laboratory. Takes on additional duties as assigned by Supervisor. When assigned work is completed, is willing to help others, possibly in different areas. Consistently punctual, follows proper protocols for absenteeism and plans time off in advance to ensure proper coverage for department. Establishes confidence in others by focusing on work in order to achieve accurate and consistent results.

Technical

Slide interpretation - screening Gyn, Non-Gyn, cellblocks and special stains: Responsible for the final reporting of negative gynecological conditions assessed independently of the pathologist. In cases which require Pathologist consultation, is responsible for selecting the most diagnostic areas of each specimen (slide). Document the slide interpretation results of each gynecologic and nongynecologic cytology case he or she examined or reviewed. For each 24 hour period, document the total number of slides he or she examined or reviewed in the laboratory. Document the total number of hours spent examining slides in a 24 hour period. Assists in and performs specimen preparation and cell blocks. Handles requests for special stains. Handles STAT requests. Analyzes technical problems. Handles hazardous waste. Participates at site of fine needle aspiration specimen collection in Radiology and Medical office.

Quality Assurance Quality Control

Maintains required statistics, QA projects and workload recording. Maintains equipment. Performance Improvement Assists in special projects, experiments, or research as delegated by Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor. Recognizes problems, assumes responsibility for helping to solve problems as they occur. Recognizes when supervisory help is needed in problem solving. Helps to come up with a solution and assists in the implementation of the solution. Through own initiative, participates and contributes towards the improvement and goals of the department. May be required to set up new test procedures, new equipment, including modifying, designing, and writing new procedures with final approval of Supervisor.

Regulatory Standards

Must comply with departmental specific standard operating procedures and checklists as required for efficient operation of department. Is familiar with and abides by safety regulations and is aware of responsibility in the event of fire or disaster. Does not offer patient diagnosis. Maintains awareness of regulatory standards.

Education, Training and Competency

Assures a necessary upgrading of technique and procedures within limits of quality laboratory medicine by learning new procedures and supporting their implementation. Maintains continuing education required for state licensure or technical certification. Instructs other employees and students in both theory and technique as delegated by Supervisor. Complies with all department-specific training requirements. Through proper training, is able to follow standard operating procedures and instrument quality control. Completes competency testing as required. Instructs medical personnel in obtaining and handling all types of cytological specimens Performs proficiency testing, updates CEU credits and CAP continuing education program.

Operational Effectiveness

While at work, associate is required to open e-mail at least once per shift to ensure that communication from supervisor or administration is maintained, and respond to in timely manner, if response is required. Demonstrates attention to detail, manual skills, and organizational ability. Demonstrates ability to effectively follow directions and ask questions as needed. Works efficiently and effectively under pressure and during emergencies. Possesses organizational skills and techniques to minimize turn-around-time. Maintains a clean and orderly work area. Cleans up after procedures have been completed, assures that biological wastes are properly disposed of and that all reagents have been restored to their proper storage location. Assists in inventory control by preparing reagents, logging, labeling, and putting away new reagents and communicates supply needs to Supervisor. May be required to order supplies. May be required to perform time-keeping duties. Temporarily may assume responsibility for supervision of a section. Takes “call” as needed.

Clerical Skills

Performs clerical duties as needed including answering the phone. May be required to cancel tests when appropriate. May be required to write procedures, memoranda, and communications. Prints final reports. Assists in specimen accessioning record keeping and billing. Sets up equipment for (VCR-Microscope) for tumor conference when needed. Pulls slides and reports of previous cases as needed

Job :

Laboratory

Organization :

Holmes Regional Medical Center

Primary Location :

United States- Florida - Brevard County- Melbourne

Schedule :

Full-time

Shift Times :

7:00 am - 3:30 pm

Job Level :

Associate

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