Cytotechnologist

Location: CHA Cambridge Hospital 

Work Days: M - F 08:00 - 4:30  

Category: Allied Health  

Department: Cytology/Histology  

Job Type: Per Diem On Call  

Work Shift: Day 

Hours/Week: 0.00 

Union: Yes 

Union Name: CH Laborers 380 Lab

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The CHA laboratory provides everything from from routine blood and urine tests to special tissue evaluation.   

Summary:
Through the utilization of applied theories, principles, and practices of clinical laboratory technology, performs and reports tests in a manner to promote the efficient operation of the laboratory and provide effective patient care.

Responsibilities:
• Identify self and department (wear ID badge)
• Asks patients what they would like to be called
• Creates a warm and welcoming environment
• Provides interpreter services or anything else that makes it easier for patients to communicate.
• Explains what they are doing and how long it will take.
• Tells patients how to reach staff if they need to.
• Stops and helps if patients look confused.
• Asks how they can help patients.
• Tries to notice and to help when patients are worried or scared.
• Tries to find out and respect patients' individual needs and preferences.
• Treats patients with dignity and respect.
• Puts themselves in patients' shoes.
• Dresses, speaks and acts professionally.
• LISTENS to patients, and really tunes in to what they are saying.
• Is aware of patients' waiting time and strives to reduce it.
• Remember simple courtesy---says "please" and "thank-you" to co-workers.
• Shares information
• Encourages and expects positive and negative feedback.
• Practices good phone manners.
• Problem-Solve:
• Respects all kinds of differences.
• Thinks creatively, outside the box.
• Supports Co-Workers:
• Helps other staff learn and learns from other staff.
• Shares responsibility
• Follows through on commitments
• Is available to co-workers
• Assumes good intentions
• Does their part to maintain a clean, safe attractive environment.
• Correctly identifies and labels patient samples. Accurately transmits information into computer and onto worksheets/log books.
• Consistently and accurately documents all problems relating to specimen collection, handling and integrity as required by department.
• Is familiar with specimen rejection policies as well as collection and transport policies.
• Assists at fine needle aspirations in the Radiology Department by preparing and staining slides for rapid interpretation.
• Understands and adheres to special Infection Control Isolation polices and procedures.
• Achieves/contributes to high customer satisfaction scores.
• Has no customer complaints.
• Demonstrates thorough understanding of quality control
• protocol.
• Performs all quality control tests as per department guidelines adhering to frequency requirements and standards for quality control performance.
• Reports all outlier quality control results to the supervisor (or designee) and records the data and corrective action according to department protocol.
• Correctly performs all required daily and monthly instrument procedures according to department specific schedules and protocols.
• Effectively troubleshoots and resolves QC failures and instrument failures. Appropriately utilizes manufacturer's operator manuals and resource material to identify probable cause of failure. Independently contacts technical service representatives when required to resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Accurately documents all instrument troubleshooting and repairs identifying cause and solution. Maintains all instrument records according to department guidelines.
• Assists the supervisor in the maintenance and organization of all QC records as required.
• Assists the supervisor in QC data review, and troubleshoots problems as appropriate.
• Cares for and maintains equipment, particularly microscopes , and reports problems with equipment to supervisor.
• Is familiar with various methods of cyto-preparation, staining, and cover slipping for all cytologic specimens and troubleshoots the same.
• Screens and diagnoses gynecologic cytology smears (PAP smears) according to established criteria, Is responsible for final diagnosis of negative cases.
• Screens and diagnoses, and refers to the supervisor and the pathologist, non-gynecologic and atypical gynecologic cytology smears according to established criteria.
• Consistently adheres to department guidelines for provider notification of STATs, critical values and corrected results.
• Documents all notifications appropriately.
• Consistently completes all occurrence screen forms as
• required by the department.
• Consistently completes all requested work on all specimens without delays (i.e. does not miss ordered tests or inappropriately discard specimen before testing is complete).
• Keeps the supervisors informed of activities, and refers needs, problems, and unusual cases to the supervisor.
• Stays current with updates in procedures and is familiar with the contents of procedure and policy manuals.
• Assists the supervisor in the development of new method evaluations, doing statistical analyses and evaluating cost feasibility as requested.
• Understands the overall system and workflow of the Cytology laboratory, and can assist with problem solving as needed.
• Readily performs other tasks as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
• Keeps work area clean; keeps paperwork and specimens in designated areas. Presents a neat and orderly appearance for all visitors to the Department.
• Keeps work area adequately stocked. Reports all low inventory situations to the supervisor in a timely manner and according to department protocol.
• Checks all reagents for outdates prior to use and labels all reagents with received, opened and expiration dates
as required.
• Demonstrates good organizational skills and ability to multi-task. Appropriately prioritizes work to maximize the efficiency of the Department.
• Plans own daily work in accordance with daily staffing, and prioritizes duties to accomplish daily objectives of the laboratory.
• Keeps work area disinfected by washing surfaces with appropriate disinfectant at frequent intervals.
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Blood borne Pathogen Control Plan. Adheres to Universal Precautions at all times.
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan. Uses appropriate safety attire and devices according to guidelines.
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of disaster responses and all other laboratory and CHA safety policies.
• Demonstrates adequate competency in response to fire drills, chemical spill drills, infectious spill drills. Has no failed drills.
• Successfully completes Annual Review Training in Safety & Risk Management within designated time period.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all fellow employees within the department and from other departments.
• Participates daily in the team effort to efficiently complete all required department work within the appropriate time interval.
• Constructively analyzes work processes and contributes to the team effort to improve workflow as needed. Identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Actively participates in committees/task force team meetings as assigned.
• Attends and participates in all required department meetings, reads minutes and completes assigned follow-up tasks within required deadline. Assists the supervisor in preparation of meeting agendas, etc. as required.
• Demonstrates flexibility in resolving scheduling issues.
• Trains new employees by accurately conveying information on policies and procedures of the department. Verifies their work
• Until they are able to work independently.
• Is polite and respectful to patients and customers, providing services in a caring and helpful manner, Maintains a high level of customer importance and seeks to satisfy customer needs.
• Supports department initiatives with technical knowledge, active participation in workgroups and education for other departments.
• Can work independently and assume responsibility for the smooth function of the department in the absence of a supervisor.
• May act as a resource person to other lab personnel or to other departments in the absence of the supervisor.
• In the absence of a supervisor, assumes responsibility for the department/shift. Duties might include the following:
• Assign/reassign staff as needed
• Handle problems according to established department policies and protocols
• Maintain an efficient an orderly flow of work in the department
• Act as a liaison to other departments; respond to inquiries effectively s responsible for creating a respectful environment for our patients and ourselves. Demonstrates respect for differences in language, culture, race, religion, citizenship, gender, and sexual orientation and does not discriminate on the basis of income, insurance status, immigration status, or disability
• Compliance with the Alliance policy on confidentiality of information regarding patients, families and co-workers.
• Adheres to the laboratory guidelines for arrival and departure times for work. Does not have any warnings or documented counseling for lateness or leaving work early. Appropriately transitions with the next shift.
• Uses Earned Time appropriately. Does not “borrow-ahead”.
• Does not call in sick more than 5 times per year.
• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Maintains professional growth and development through attendance at continuing education sessions within the laboratory, and at seminars, workshops, conferences or professional meetings outside the hospital..
• Completes competency requirements each calendar year for duties performed.
• Complies with all other laboratory and Alliance policies.
• Performs other duties as directed/required in order to maintain continuous functioning of the department
• Will xerox documents as requested.
• Transports supplies from the laboratory storeroom areas to the work station area. Will unpack supplies when received,
appropriately label them with received dates and store them in the designated area.
• Can accurately assess the patient’s ability to follow directions in the collection of specimens for testing.
• Identifies and manages any special issues, concerns and risks for age-specific populations.
• Can accurately assess and interpret age-specific criteria.
• Transports supplies from the laboratory storeroom areas to the work station area. Will unpack supplies when received, appropriately label them with received dates and store them in the designated area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Other information:
Individual must meet the following criteria as appropriate to the specific department that has the vacancy:
Have a BS/BA in a biological science.
Have CT (ASCP) certification

 
In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.