Cytology Assistant - FT - Day - Danbury

Northwell Health; Danbury (CT); On-site; USD 26,918 - 52,266; Full time

Job summary

Northwell Health in Danbury, CT is seeking a Cytotechnologist to prepare cytology specimens, improving turnaround time for diagnosis by cytotechnologists and pathologists. Responsibilities include processing specimens, maintaining records, and ensuring accurate demographic information for testing.

The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma and at least six months of experience. Strong computer skills and data entry are essential for success in this role, which may involve significant manual skills and physical effort.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience of six months required.
• Perform multiple concurrent and repetitive tasks.
• Excellent listening and comprehension skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare STAT Fine Needle Aspiration specimens for diagnosis.
• Accession and verify all GYN cytology specimens accurately.
• Process, stain, and coverslip specimens using automated equipment.
• Maintain inventory of supplies to ensure workflow.

Skills

Data entry

Listening skills

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State’s largest private employer with over 104,000 employees — including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners — who are working to change health care for the better.

Summary

Under the guidance of the Cytotechnologist, prepares cytology specimens including the STAT Fine Needle Aspirations done in conjunction with the Radiology Department, for analysis for diagnosis by cytotechnologists and pathologists. This position allows the cytotechnologist to spend their time screening rather than preparing specimens thereby improving turn around time (TAT), resulting in greater customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Prepare STAT Fine Needle Aspiration specimens (in conjunction with Radiology) utilizing various staining protocols and preparation techniques to expedite the diagnosis and enhance Customer satisfaction.
• Prepare NON-GYN specimens utilizing concentration techniques to ensure the best possible smears, Thinprep slides and cell blocks for optimal diagnosis.
• Precisely accession (register if necessary into Invision and/or Cerner) all GYN cytology specimens, verify patient & physician demographics, clinical information and pertinent history to ensure accurate information for testing and billing.
• Modify GYN work practice by identifying probable unsatisfactory Thinprep specimens and reprocessing them immediately, saving both supplies and tech screening time, improving TAT and Customer Satisfaction.
• Process, stain and coverslip all specimens utilizing automated equipment, maintaining and troubleshooting such equipment as necessary to preclude costly service calls.
• Deliver DIGENE cases by physician request or reflex testing and have them registered for Immunology testing.
• Communicates with physicians' offices and clinics, handling requests for information and/or supplies.
• Performs clerical tasks as needed including computer data entry, faxing reports, compiling section statistics, answering telephones and filing slides and requisitions accurately.
• Maintain inventory of supplies, placing orders as necessary to ensure uninterrupted workflow and avoiding costly rush orders.
• Compiles slides, reports and patient release forms for outgoing consultations, expediting patient diagnosis. Collects slides for Pathology Resident review as part of their ongoing education.
• Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Skills Experience

HS GRAD/EQUIVALENT

Other Information

Required: High School Diploma

Minimum Experience: six months.

Data entry required. Excellent listening and comprehension skills. Perform multiple concurrent and repetitive tasks with frequent interruptions.

Desired: Strong computer skills.

Working Conditions

Manual: significant manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity

Occupational: Some occupational risk

Physical Effort: Very Heavy effort. May exert up to 50 lbs. force

Physical Environment: Some exposure to dirt, odors, noise, human waste, etc.

Company: Danbury Hospital

Org Unit: 124

Department: Cytology

Exempt: No

Salary Range: $19.54 - $37.94 Hourly