Prepares cytologic specimens, using laboratory procedures and department protocols, for the use of appropriate others in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
1. Receives written requisitions from clinicians for cytology laboratory tests. Accepts and/or rejects cytology specimens according to established protocols. Makes appropriate accessioning entries, including those entered into the laboratory computer system.
2. Records specimen measurements and descriptions on requisition forms or in the laboratory computer system, according to established procedures and regulatory agency protocols.
3. Prepares, filters, and changes reagents and solutions used in the laboratory for specimen preparation. Marks slides and containers, according to procedure, for permanent specimen identification. Prepares smeared and monolayer slides from the various types of Cytology specimens according to established methods, exhibiting knowledge of appropriate laboratory machine for each type of slide.
4. Stains slides, manually and/or by automatic machine, with the staining method best suited for each specimen’s interpretation, according to established protocol and exhibiting knowledge of appropriate reagents and solutions. Coverslips stained slides, manually and/or by automatic machine.
5. During specimen handling, adheres to the safety standards and infection control policies of the department, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies. Maintains clean laboratory works areas and equipment according to established protocol (for example, the centrifuge, cytospin, refrigerator, ThinPrep, staining).
6. Maintains laboratory equipment in good working condition and performs minor repairs. Monitors levels of reagents~ solutions and other supplies needed for specimen preparation. Notifies supervisor and/or appropriate others to reorder supplies or arrange equipment inspection, repair and/or replacement in a timely manner.
7. Maintains a slide filing system in accordance with departmental established procedures and regulatory agency mandates.
8. Verifies all aspects of cytology specimen preparation against accepted quality control standards. Maintains case preparation quality assurance records in compliance with departmental and regulatory agency mandates. Reports unusual test requests or results to the supervisor.
9. Maintains knowledge of current developments in the field of cytologic specimen preparation. Completes CAP recommended number of hours of continuing education.
Requirement: License as a New York State Clinical Laboratory Technician
Pay Range: $38 – $42