Cytotechnologist

Major Duties

• Reads all medical and gynecological material submitted for cytology from the following VAMHCS facilities: Baltimore - Perry Point and all CBOCs
• Systematically examines all material on the slide
• Abnormal material marked for the Pathologist review
• Provides written diagnostic interpretation on all specimens received for processing at the Baltimore laboratory
• Independently reads and provides diagnostic evaluation on all pap smears
• Supplies the "Cytyc Thin Prep Pap Test" kit to the gynecology clinics within the above mentioned facilities and works in conjunction with the clinicians to train all users
• All pap smears are processed at the Baltimore Laboratory using the thin prep processor
• Trains all hospital services on the proper fixation and technique to use the cytolyt solutions for thin prep processing using the Cytyc
• All specimens are processed using the Cytyc Processor
• Carefully monitors the processing and quality of preparations to ensure optimum slides for diagnostic interpretation
• Maintains familiarity with current literature in Anatomic Pathology as regards processing and diagnostic evaluation
• Performs a variety of procedures, including analyses, updating procedural manuals, monitoring the equipment and its accuracy, setting up and monitoring quality controls on equipment and on the diagnostic interpretation, and preparation on all slides read and processed in the Baltimore Laboratory
• Aids Cytology supervisor in reviewing Standard Operating Procedure Manuals to improve quality, accuracy, or improve patient care and to be in compliance with accrediting agency and JCAHO
• Independently determines specimen adequacy where rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchial, pulmonary, lymph node, gastric, pancreatic, and/or soft tissue masses are being performed
• Serves as technical specialist to handle any problems that occur between VA facilities that are cytology related to transportation, specimen fixation resulting, grossing, or procedural decisions
• Works toward mutual goals, cooperative attitudes, and shows team effort to carry out the VA mission
• Coordinates work efforts or resolves operating problems concerning equipment or test methods
• Reviews unexpected results, assists laboratory workers and physicians, instructs technicians in technical skills, clarifies problems, product suppliers or manufacturers of anatomic equipment, promotes daily work practices that conform to safety plans and standards set by regulating agencies

Qualifications

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-9) that is directly related to the position to be filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound - Endobronchial Ultrasound - and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures; Knowledge of pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical processes to establish and monitor the overall laboratory quality management and quality control program - and initiate corrective action as needed; Skill in collecting - compiling - and analyzing data for quality assurance - statistics - trends and reports - and implementing quality improvement initiatives; Skill in researching - testing - validating - and implementing new procedures and equipment