Cytology Prep Technician

PathGroup; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

PathGroup is seeking a Cytology Prep Technician to support the preparation of cytology specimens for microscopic examination and routine equipment maintenance. The role includes filing blocks, slides, and reports, while ensuring accurate handling and documentation.

Responsibilities cover specimen accessioning, processing, staining, and coverslipping, as well as preparing materials for screening and distributing to pathologists, all under established SOPs and quality controls.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine daily laboratory tasks as communicated by management.
• Communicate efficiently with internal and external customers via phone, email, or in person.
• Notify manager immediately of any outliers or equipment failures.
• Accession specimens in a timely manner.
• Process and concentrate specimens; perform T-2000 ThinPrep processing.
• Operate Slide Mate printer for slide printing; maintain equipment.
• Stain slides and apply coverslips; assemble cases for screening.
• Document and distribute pap tests with QA sheets and patient paperwork.
• Transport slides to pathologists; monitor temperatures daily and adjust as needed.
• Manage inventory, order supplies, and prepare stock reagents.
• Handle hazardous waste per policy; maintain a clean, safe work area.
• Maintain logs/records and perform periodic maintenance on equipment.
• Follow SOPs and quality control procedures; participate in meetings and trainings.

Job description

Job Summary

The Cytology Prep Technician will perform a variety of tasks related to the preparation of cytology specimens for microscopic examination, routine maintenance of the equipment used for duties such as specimen preparation and filing of blocks, slides, and reports.

Job Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for all routine daily laboratory tasks as communicated by management
• Communicate efficiently and cordially with internal customers (cytology) and with external customers (other departments, pathologists, clients, etc.) via phone, email, in-person, etc.
• Notify manager immediately of any outliers or equipment failures
• Accession specimens in a timely manner
• Process and Concentrate Specimens
• T-2000 ThinPrep Processing
• Slide printing with Slide Mate Printer- operation, care, maintenance of Slide Mate
• Slide staining and coverslipping
• Assemble cases for screening
• Document and prepare according to procedure LCA paps received and distribute with appropriate paperwork, i.e. QA sheets, requisitions, patient paperwork, etc., to pathologists
• Document sending of slides to LCA, communicate with internal and external customers
• Deliver SEPA screened slides to pathologists
• Monitor and record temperatures daily at the start of shift. Make adjustments as necessary.
• Responsible for inventory control and ordering of supplies
• Prepare stock reagents as necessary (e.g., diultions of alcohol: 50%, 70%, 80%, 95%)
• Waste removal and/or tracking, handling and disposal
• Label, date, and store hazardous waste in flammable cabinet. Empy hazardous waste containers as directed by department manager.
• Maintain clean work area
• Clean and perform preventative maintenance on equipment
• Maintain logs/records
• Maintain safety standards and documentation of the Cytology lab according to guidelines and protocols.
• Monthly equipment/cleaning/staining/manintenance records and charts maintained on a daily, weekly, monthly basis as appropriate. Records and charts are given to the manager monthly.
• Perform procedures according to written policies and follow the prescribed quality control measures
• Read, understand and follow all applicable SOPs
• Attend and participate in department meetings, training, or developmental opportunities
• Special projects as assigned
• Other job duties as assigned.
• Perform all job responsibilities in alignment with the industry's best security practices and regulatory guidelines to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information and other sensitive company data.
• Must be familiar with and abide by the Corporate Compliance Program and all Corporate policies, including the Privacy and Security policies.

Non-essential Functions

• Work with other departments within PathGroup and subsidiaries.
• Nothing in the job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
• Other duties as assigned.