Cyto Preparatory Tech – Anatomic Pathology Core Lab – Days

VCU Health; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VCU Health is looking for a Cytology Preparatory Tech in Richmond, Virginia, to process gynecologic samples for evaluation. This role involves preparing slides and resolving specimen identification issues with physicians, ensuring specimen adequacy for analytical studies.

Candidates should possess a high school diploma, ideally with two years of laboratory experience. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. The position may require lifting and is expected to serve patients across all age groups.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of laboratory experience.
• Experience in centrifugation, staining, and cytocentrifugation.

Responsibilities

• Call physician for patient information regarding identification.
• Determine specimen adequacy and prepare slides.
• Remove excess blood or mucus from specimens for optimization.

Skills

Laboratory experience in centrifugation

Dilutions

Cytocentrifugation

Staining

Cover slipping

Solution making

Pipetting

Filtering

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in a Life Science or related field

Job description

Overview

The Cytology Preparatory Tech processes gynecologic, non-gynecologic and fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples from patients of all ages for microscopic evaluation and interpretation. This includes centrifugation, cytocentrifugation, saponization, liquid-based monolayer techniques, staining and cover slipping.

Responsibilities

• Call a patient’s physician to obtain additional information and resolve issues with patient and/or specimen identification.
• Determine specimen adequacy in order to prepare the prescribed number of slides for microscopic evaluation and to process the specimen for ancillary studies (e.g., cell blocks, immunohistochemical stains).
• Decide if a specimen contains excess blood or mucus and follow the proper procedure to remove these elements to optimize cellular visualization.

Experience

• REQUIRED: Minimum of two (2) years of laboratory experience in centrifugation, dilutions, cytocentrifugation, staining, cover slipping, solution making, pipetting and filtering.
• PREFERRED: N/A

Education/Training

• REQUIRED: High School or equivalent
• PREFERRED: Bachelor’s Degree in a Life Science or related field

Licensure, Certification, or Registration

• HIRING: N/A
• Continued employment: Surepath Prep Certification preferred

Independent action(s) required

• Call a patient’s physician to obtain additional information and solve a problem with patient and/or specimen identification.
• Must determine specimen adequacy and prepare slides; may process specimens for ancillary studies such as cell blocks and immunohistochemical stains.
• Must decide if specimen contains excess blood or mucus and apply the appropriate procedure to optimize visualization.

Additional position requirements

• N/A

Age groups served

• All

Physical Requirements

• Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs. Activities include prolonged standing and repetitive motion.
• Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, reasoning, problem solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, logical thinking.
• Emotional: Steady pace, ability to handle multiple priorities.

Days

Not specified.

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