Cytotechnologist

Anatomic Pathology
Full Time
Day Shift
8:30 AM until 5:00 PM

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare and was first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care. Consistently ranked as best in the Columbia Metro area by U.S. News & World Report, Lexington Health delivers more than 4,000 babies each year, performs more than 34,000 surgeries annually and is the region's third largest employer.

Lexington Health also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state's first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer's care center. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies, as well as an informatics fellowship.

Job Summary

Primarily responsible for microscopic screening for detection of abnormal human cells and organisms, assisting with cytopreparations and Fine Needle Aspiration collections as needed, and computer result/data entry related to test orders and reporting. Will maintain a thorough knowledge of conditions appropriate to laboratory test performance, including specimen collection, transport preservation, processing, staining, screening, computer proficiency, specimen storage/disposal, and filing of slides/requisitions/QA materials. Will develop and maintain a high standard of operation and will act a resource person for new employees. The Cytotechnologist will report directly to the Cytology Supervisor and Pathologist in charge of the Cytology Division.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: BS Degree in Cytotechology; or a BS Degree in Life Sciences and completion of CAHEA or HHS approved Cytology program.
Minimum Years of Experience: None
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Must meet the Cytotechnologist requirements defined by DHHS in the Clinical Laboratory improvements Amendments of 1988 and any subsequent requirements; Must possess ASCP (CT) certification or be eligible to sit for the exam.
Required Training: None

Essential Functions

• Maintains a thorough knowledge of the field of cytology.
• Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for the following patient population: infant (birth to 1 year), child (1 year through 12 years), adolescent (13 years through 17 years), adult (18 years to 65 years), and geriatric (over 65 years).
• Microscopic evaluate and mark any abnormalities or significant findings with appropriate ink markings. Write diagnostic impression in appropriate form.
• Document slide statistics on appropriate form.
• Directly report all negative cases with the exception of the 10% of total negatives that are referred to the pathologist for a second review as pat of quality assurance program.
• Refer all screened gynecologic cases evaluated as BCC and above to the pathologist along with the written impression.
• Refer all non-gynecological cases with or without abnormal findings to the pathologist along with the written impression.
• Retrieve clinical information and previous history reports to attach to referred cases as appropriate.
• Confer with pathologist on daily cases and provide assistance as requested.
• Place all finished paperwork and slides in appropriate place for filing.
• Cytopreparatory functions including specimen receipt, identification, accessioning, processing by direct smear preparation, centrifugation, cytocentrifugation, cell block preparation or thin-layer preparation.
• Staining with appropriate standard series of solutions, coverslipping and labeling of slides.
• Perform periodic maintenance of stainline, instruments, equipment and microscopes and document such activities.
• Prepare reagent solutions as needed.
• Assist with training of new personnel insuring high standard of performance of their duties.
• Assist with evaluation of new equipment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to the Cytology Supervisor with the collection and documentaion of QA data, writing or revising of procedures as assigned, and calculation of workload statistics.
• Assist Cytology Supervisor as requested in monitoring cost anaylsis data relative to procedures reagents, equipment, etc.
• Inform personnel responsible for ordering supplies of any observed shortages.
• Presentation of inservices for other laboratory sections when changing procedures that may involve that section.
• Performs assigned duties efficiently and effectively in a timely organized manner.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by authorized personnel or as required in an emergency, e.g. fire or disaster.
• Promote smooth exchange of specimens, reports and phone communication between nursing service, medical staff, physician office personnel and cytology department.
• Informs other laboratory personnel of circumstances that may effect the quality of work.
• Active participation the LMC Service Excellence Program with on-going demonstration of active contributions to service excellence relative to cytology services.
• Exemplify excellent customer relations, telephone manners, and willingness to assist patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.
• Maintenance of an optimistic, professional, career oriented demeanor.
• Adhere to all hospital policies and safety regulations.
• Exhibits thorough understanding of computer functions needed for daily use.
• Troubleshoots and resolves problems as situations require. Notifies system manager of significant problems.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal. Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Enter final results into the computer for pathologist review and signature.

We are committed to offering quality, cost-effective benefits choices for our employees and their families:

• Day ONE medical, dental and life insurance benefits
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Employees are eligible for enrollment into the 403(b) match plan day one. LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer paid life insurance - equal to 1x salary
• Employee may elect supplemental life insurance with low cost premiums up to 3x salary
• Adoption assistance
• LHI provides its full-time employees employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan forgiveness

Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Lexington Health to provide equal opportunity of employment for all individuals, and to remain compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Lexington Health strives to provide a discrimination-free environment, and to recruit, select, on-board, and employ all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation. Lexington Health endeavors to upgrade and promote employees from within the hospital where possible and consistent with the employee's desires and abilities and the hospital's needs.