Cytologist - Pathology

CHRISTUS Health; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CHRISTUS Health in Tyler, TX seeks a Cytotechnologist to prepare and evaluate cytology specimens, perform staining, and assist pathologists in diagnostic processes. You will work within CAP/CLIA guidelines, ensure quality control, and participate in ongoing education and safety practices.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in science, 1–2 years of experience (2–3 preferred) in high complexity testing, and ASCP eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years of experience required; 2–3 years preferred in high complexity testing.
• Cytotechnologist (ASCP) or eligible; annual membership with certification agency.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and stains slides from specimens for microscopic evaluation.
• Enters patient information, orders, and technical data into LIS.
• Operates staining and AP equipment to produce quality slides.
• Assists pathologists with procedures and marks abnormal findings.
• Performs routine QC/maintenance and follows CAP/CLIA/JCAHO guidelines.

Skills

LIS data entry

Slide staining

Microscopy

Quality control

Safety protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Tools

ThinPrep equipment

Cytology staining equipment

Microscope

Job description

Description

Summary: Follows established standard practices: Prepares and stains microscopic slides from specimens of blood, tissue scrapings, and body fluids. Examines cells of the human body to detect evidence of cancer, abnormalities, and other pathological conditions. Categories slides, records classification, compiles listings of patients for follow-up analysis, and reports all unusual cell structures or abnormalities to the Pathologist. Addresses all daily operations of the cytology laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Customer Service
• Enters patient information, orders, and technical information into LIS.
• Within acceptable TAT guidelines, devises and directs performance of routine and special stains to provide appropriate slides for the microscopic evaluation of tissues, fluids, and other cytopathology specimens.
• Operates staining equipment, ThinPrep equipment, coverslippers and other AP equipment to provide quality slides for examinations.
• Performs manual stains, as needed, to provide quality slides for examinations.
• Assists Pathologists with fine needle aspirations.
• Using the microscope and stained slides, identifies and mark all unusual findings in the specimen using accepted morphologic criteria.
• Examines and evaluates the cell sample for the presence or absence of normal/abnormal cellular patterns; assesses malignant, pre-malignant, inflammatory, and benign changes.
• Refers to cellular changes that meet guidelines for supervisor and/or pathologist review.
• Quality Control / Improvement: performs analysis and records QC according to policy and procedure following CLIA, CAP, and Joint Commission guidelines and standards.
• Maintenance/Lab Management: performs established daily and periodic preventative maintenance with documentation; troubleshoots minor problems and initiates service calls as needed; orders and restocks supplies/reagents; reviews policy & procedure manual; dates reagents and discards expired reagents.
• Continuing Education/Development: attends, reads, or listens by tape to material of 10-12 in-house educational programs yearly; trains new staff in practices
• Completes tasks or special projects within the time frame as assigned, or as requested by Supervisors, Managers, or Directors.
• Accreditation: follows CAP, AABB, Compliance, CLIA, JCAHO, and OSHA standards and prepares/participates in all applicable inspections.
• Follows established protocols for safety, infection control, security, compliance, and the use of hazardous materials.

Education/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in science or equivalent required

Experience

• 1-2 years of experience required
• 2-3 years of experience in high complexity testing in an acute care hospital setting preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Cytotechnologist (ASCP) or eligible
• Must obtain Annual Membership (current) with certification agency

Work Schedule

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type

Full Time