TRAVEL CYTOTECHNOLOGIST FT [0348]

Cytotechnologist

A-Team Solutions is seeking a full time Cytotechnologist for a local government facility in St. Louis for an opportunity that we are currently pursuing.

Job Duties: Services shall be provided 40 hours per week during regular working hours with the exception of Federal holidays. Regular working hours are from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. In the event that overtime hours are required, prior approval must be received by the CTVHCS supervising physician.

Provider shall serve as cytotechnologist throughout the period of the contract and shall be under the direction of the Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) or her designee.

Provider shall perform a full range of procedures in the Anatomic Pathology Section of a university-affiliated integrated healthcare system laboratory.

Requirements:

• Shall possess basic proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Shall be mentally and physically able to fulfill responsibilities of the work to be performed.
• Must have knowledge and qualifications required to perform:
• Proficient in the use of a microscope to screen for benign and malignant conditions of the lung, bladder, GI tract, cerebrospinal fluid, metastatic and primary diseases in effusion and any obtainable anatomic fluid of sampling. Screens gynecologic cytology specimens for premalignant and malignant conditions, inflammatory agents and inflammatory changes, viral cellular changes and therapeutic changes. The cytotechnologist will have diagnostic ability for negative pap test cases with the exception of 10% of these cases needing to be submitted for review by a pathologist and accomplish work in a timely manner to assure appropriate turnaround times. Assists pathologists and physicians in the collection of fine needle aspiration cytology samples assuring that adequate supplies are constantly maintained (e.g. measuring and preparing stain solutions, microscope slides, etc.) to perform such procedures. After a specimen is collected the cytotechnologist must be able to immediately assess and give collecting physician a response as to the adequacy of the specimen or recommend if further sampling is necessary. Assists personnel performing cytoprepatory procedures in the cytology laboratory. Performs cytoprepatory functions to in-process specimens and prepare them for testing when the cytoprepatory technician is absent or assigned to other duties. Responsible for processing and packaging (using established regulatory guidelines for transportation of diagnostic specimens) all cytology specimens sent to reference facilities, as well as tracking and entering results of the same to the patient's medical record.
• Assists in the pathology Gross Room with small biopsies when needed. Assistance includes verification of patient identification and specimen type, marking surgical margins, taking and recording precise measurements, preparing tissue imprint slides and special stains as well as other procedures involved in the gross processing of specimens. Responsible for providing essential coordination and summaries for broad review by the Medical Director of Anatomic Pathology. Tracks abnormal or unusual results and maintains constant contact with the Medical Director for appropriate follow up of these results. Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care appropriate to the conditions of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span, possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status, interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's analysis relative to age and gender requirements rendering results as described in the department's policies and procedures and in accordance with the standards of the profession. The cytotechnologist must take and pass (with a grade of 90% or higher) an annual gyn cytology CAP approved proficiency examination test. Provides technical assistance and information and serves as a technical consultant to physicians, nurses and other medical personnel. Provides information to any medical personnel in the preparation, collection and transportation of cytology specimens. Maintains all required data for review by accrediting agencies: CAP and Joint Commission. Directs support personnel in the monitoring of quality control data, taking appropriate corrective actions when necessary. This requires an independent decision based on a thorough knowledge of histology and cytology principles, procedures and standard practices. Provides expertise for the operation of a wide variety of automated and manual equipment. Identifies control samples appropriate to monitor procedures; established protocols for evaluating control sample value and defines actions to be taken when control sample is outside limits, including initial training for new employees. Utilizes laboratory computer systems to record and document all work performed within the Cytology Service. Controls specimen accessioning through the computer system to insure accuracy and timeliness of data input and output. Knowledgeable of the OSHA Bloodborne Standards and Formaldehyde and Xylene monitoring and the application of "Universal Precautions" for the implementation of the Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne body Fluid Pathogens and Hazardous Chemical and Waste. As such, administers all aspects of these safety programs to section personnel, other technical personnel, housekeeping personnel, and maintenance personnel who may enter the duty area. In the performance of official duties, the employee has regular access to the printed and electronic files containing sensitive data that has been protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act. Is responsible for protecting the data from unauthorized release or from loss, its alteration or unauthorized deletion; and following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., set out in a computer access agreement signed by the employee. Assures all cytology equipment and testing materials are working properly to include daily monitoring and documentation of maintenance procedures. Report equipment malfunctions to appropriate hospital personnel and use acceptable replacement methods or equipment when original equipment is sent for repair. Assures cytology supplies are maintained at an adequate and optimal level. Responsible for timely completion and presentation of all requested administrative reports required from the Pathology and Laboratory Service pertaining to Cytology. These reports may be recurring or non-recurring in nature such as CAP surveys. Responsible for ensuring work conditions and work practices with Anatomic Pathology are such that the possibility of on-the-job injuries are minimized (i.e. safety training work site inspections). Immediately abates unsafe working conditions or work practices that pose an "imminent danger" until such time it is determined that such a danger no longer exists or appropriate safeguards are implemented. Performs other duties as assigned. Provides statistical analysis pertaining to Cytology workload, including calculation of false negative and false positive rates and various other quality indicators for the cytotechnologist and the laboratory as a whole in accordance with federal guidelines and local policy.
• Professional knowledge and extensive experience of cytotechnology and cytopathology principles, concepts and methodology and experience in all areas of exfoliate and brush cytology to include fine needle aspirations and including quality assurance/quality control sufficient to carry out a broad range of cytological studies. Sufficient knowledge of cellular components of various body organs and tissue to be able to give physicians immediate response as to adequacy of collected fine needle aspiration specimens. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality assurance/quality improvement and the ability to maintain accurate statistical data and the ability to use computer programs and software as appropriate. Knowledge of quality control systems, proficiency testing programs, and procedures for preventive maintenance and performance testing of instruments and equipment sufficient to identify and resolve problems and assure compliance with applicable requirements. Position requires a wide range of knowledge within the areas of Histology and Cytology. This knowledge must be applied to solve very complex problems in both areas. Standard applications and procedures may need to be modified in order to solve problems. Limitations must be identified and proper communications made to send materials to reference laboratories as required. Must have a strong knowledge of guidelines set forth by the College of American Pathologist (CAP) and CLIA. The knowledge includes regulator, licensing, accreditation guidelines, medicolegal responsibilities, and status governing anatomic pathology laboratory operations. g. The medical director of Anatomic Pathology makes assignments by setting the overall objectives and general approach to be taken; the cytotechnologist and medical director generally confer on deadlines and priorities. Position requires working independently with reasonable latitude for determining priorities to meet deadlines on a daily basis. Supervisory controls of the position are exercised by the medical director of Anatomic Pathology who also serves as the technical director. Keeps the Chief Medical Technologist and Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Service informed of any problems. Guidelines for work performed within cytology includes, local hospital policies, national standards, and federal laws. Local policies included those by which at this hospital operates as well as the policies of the Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Service. These include and extensive Quality Improvement regulations separate from the Pathology and Laboratory Service. National standards include those from CLSI, College of American Pathologists. Federal laws include those from the Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Guidelines often do not have adequate or complete information to deal with the more complex and unusual problems. The cytotechnologist must be resourceful and utilize initiative when traditional methods are not applicable. The technologist will assist and recommend new technology, policies, and criteria for testing.
• Personal contacts are with physicians, nurses, medical technologists, and medical technicians in other sections of the laboratory, other departments of the hospital, and other laboratories or hospitals. Contacts will also be made with technical representatives for questions concerning the proper operation of specific equipment and vendors for the purchase of equipment and supplies. Cytotechnologist will have patient contact when assisting pathologist in the collection of fine needle aspirations or when advising patient on collecting specimens. The work involves health risks and discomforts associated with working in cytology with regular and recurrent exposure to hazards such as highly infectious agents (i.e., HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.) potentially carcinogenic (i.e., formaldehyde, Xylene, etc.) and corrosive chemicals, and