Senior Cytotechnologist (Per Diem)

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. Its a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all-and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet - an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Senior Cytotechnologist

Department: Pathology

Schedule: Per Diem

POSITION SUMMARY:

A science based bachelor's or associates degree with at least five (5) years of experience and professional knowledge of cytotechnology principles, concepts and methodology sufficient to perform a broad range of tests, including non-routine analysis. Sufficient training to provide scientific and technical leadership in the specialties and subspecialties of cytotechnology. 1 year of specialty training at an accredited school of cytotechnology, in addition to a bachelor's or associates degree, will substitute for three (3) years of technical experience. Or Graduation from an accredited school of cytotechnology, with a bachelor's or associates degree will substitute for three (3) years of technical experience. Requires current and annual renewal of certification, CT (ASCP), or equivalent and registration with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Registry. Knowledge of body systems to facilitate the evaluation of specimens obtained by a variety of techniques to include fine needle aspiration of major organ systems and subcutaneous masses; knowledge sufficient to check correlation and validity of results.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Participate in cytology laboratory team at senior level, contributing as a senior Cytotechnologist by exhibiting a depth of knowledge in departmental and cytology discipline
• In the absence of a supervisor assumes full responsibility for the technical aspects of cytopreparation and problem solving in the unit. Acts as a resource and interprets tests for laboratory users in a manner consistent with level of training and knowledge.
• Train and monitor cytoprep technologists in the use of Sure Patha liquid based Pap technology using the automated prep stain processor. Act as a resource for Cytotechnologist and prep technologists. Have advanced knowledge and training in Sure Patha technology
• Troubleshoot technical problems that cannot be resolved by staff using knowledge and experience of prep stain equipment. Assist prep techs in the correction of technical difficulties that may arise. Work with and guide Cytotechnologist and prep techs to correct problems and technical difficulties. Communicate with technical support staff at Sure Patha to resolve technical difficulties.
• Have knowledge of and support down-time procedures, support assistant supervisors as necessary to ensure uninterrupted workflow
• Assist cytology supervisors with co-coordinating and tracking cytology cases forwarded to molecular pathology for HPV testing.
• Participate in preparation for CAP and JCAHO accreditation inspection. Support cytology supervisors as necessary, gather statistics, evaluate laboratory preparedness etc.
• Monitor per diem coverage and schedules as required. Act as senior Cytotechnologist in the absence of supervisors (holidays/weekends), trouble shoot and co-ordinate schedules as necessary
• Participate in preparation of cytology conferences, track cases that have been reviewed and maintain attendance records. Review and prepare cases for resident conferences
• Reviews testing results generated by per diem staff or procedures performed by these staff for completeness and accuracy. Provides leadership to attain a technically sound and patient focused laboratory.
• Provides technically sound, accurate, patient focused testing by providing leadership and assisting staff in: prioritizing of "rush" and routine samples; verification of specimen identification; ensuring appropriateness of sample for requested testing; ensuring quality and quantity of sample; ensuring correct and appropriate accessioning, testing or allocating is performed; documenting appropriate steps taken to resolve mislabeled/unlabeled or inappropriate samples; investigating, documenting and resolving aberrant or inconsistent test results; proper CoPath data entry; ensuring that rush cases and call backs are performed and documented appropriately; maintaining reagent and supply inventories, ensuring, through assignments or delegation, that work is completed and/or accounted for
• Assists supervisor in insuring that instrumentation and equipment maintenance is performed according to standard operating procedure. Recognizes and resolves problems/discrepancies within abilities. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate. Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.
• Proper performance, delegation, utilization and review of Quality Control Procedures according to standard operating procedure. Recognizes and resolves problems/discrepancies within abilities. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate. Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.
• Recognizes technical and non-technical problems/discrepancies in laboratory operations. Resolves problems consistent with experience. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate. Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.
• Provides a leadership role in creating a team approach to ensure that the section is able to adhere to states TAT as defined by each section.
• Assists supervisor in implementation of new instruments, methodologies and tests to enhance laboratory operations. Trains and certifies staff in new methodologies.
• Contributes to Policy and Procedure Manuals, Standard Operating Manuals and Quality Control Manuals in compliance with all regulatory agencies (CAP & CLIA).
• Provides leadership role in promoting flexibility of staff to accept changes of duty, situation and/or schedule to enhance productivity of the department.
• Shows initiative in realizing efficient operations by: accepting, volunteering or assigning duties to ensure efficient operations; adjusting daily schedule as necessary to meet fluctuations in human resources; suggesting and developing new ideas, which result in enhanced operations; acting as a resource for the section; assuming general technical responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the section in the absence of the cytology supervisor. Initiates problem solving process and provides solutions within abilities. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate. Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.
• Participates as an effective member of the department. Promotes effective relationships with all hospital personnel as part of the hospital's commitment to quality patient care.
• Actively seeks and effectively participates in Quality Advancement/Improvement activities according to standard operating procedure.
• Coordinates and oversees the technical and orientation training of departmental staff members, including new employees. Assists Admin. Director/designee in ensuring the completeness of training and competency of staff on a yearly basis.
• Understands the relationship between relevant clinical data and a variety of complex, similar, yet different often-overlapping morphological changes in cytology samples.
• Interprets the various clinical presentations of disease and applies such knowledge in conjunction with the microscopic findings to affect an appropriate and accurate final diagnosis;
• Exhibits sufficient knowledge and skill to select, adapt or design techniques to optimize the quality of specimen preparations.
• Researches and prepare, independent of direct supervision, new tests and mechanisms for introducing new tests for the department
• Provides in-service training to clinicians and nurse practitioners, as necessary. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skill to provide technical instruction on laboratory problems and advises other departments on cytology techniques.
• Researches sources of cytology information including texts, journals, periodicals, laboratory manuals, professional organizations (CAP, JCAHO, ASCP, ASC, IAC), professional seminars, workshops and meetings, as well as academic background, training and experience.
• Provides a scope of judgment which includes subjective microscopic evaluations based on combinations of academic instruction, technical training, quality and quantity of experience and combinations of knowledge and skills, as well as prioritizing guideline sources and interpreting applicability in matters of specimen identification, processing, recording and quality control.
• Selects, adapt or design policies, procedures and methods in response to hospital and laboratory needs. Organizes this information for incorporation into the laboratory manual in compliance with accreditation standards.
• Provides clear and concise instructions to Cytotechnologist and other laboratory staff.
• Provides screening certification for liquid-based technologies (approved by AutoCyte). Participate in the CAP interlaboratory quality improvement program.
• Establishes and implement procedures for the identification, collection, preservation, preparation and staining of specimens through experience, research, study and experimentation.
• Provides a leadership role for technical and CoPath problem solving.
• Provides a leadership role in support of the department goal of improved customer service. Consistently makes extra efforts to achieve physician/customer expectations.
• Professional development: provides a leadership role in maintaining clinical competency in area of responsibility to help ensure the use of up-to-date methods of test performance. The Assistant Supervisor will encourage, assist and facilitate staff to also reach these goals.
• Attends at least two departmental continuing education classes during the year. Summarizes and shares information obtained from continuing education with others in section.
• Participates in two scientific or service related continuing education classes. These may be offered in house and by an outside agency. Summarizes and shares information obtained from continuing education with others in section.
• Actively participates in all scheduled staff meetings, shares ideas and provides constructive suggestions to resolve section related service and/or testing issues.
• Initiates contact with Pathology residents through participation in teaching activities. Schedules and/or delegates "benchside" teaching responsibilities.
• Establishes a positive professional relationship with management and co-workers. Supports and encourages acceptance of change through flexibility of assignment, situation and schedule in order to enhance the productivity of section or department and to improve patient care. Suggests changes which would result in enhanced operations or patient care.
• Aides by and assists supervisor in enforcing the hospital and departmental policies.
• Ensures that the section's equipment and work areas are neat, orderly and well stocked. Delegates as needed to maintain section readiness.
• Assists supervisor in maintaining adequate inventory levels. Orders or delegates ordering of supplies and reagents under the guidance of the supervisor.
• Performs assignments with a minimum of direction. Delegates staff as necessary to perform all section functions.
• Assists supervisor in sectional prioritization of tasks. Effectively utilizes time and resources in the completion of assignments without assistance the majority of the time. Adjusts to variable workloads.
• Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• A science based bachelor's or associates degree.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Requires current and annual renewal of certification, CT (ASCP), or equivalent and registration with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Registry.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least three (3) years of experience and professional knowledge of cytotechnology principles, concepts and methodology sufficient to perform a broad range of tests, including non-routine analysis.
• 1 year of specialty training at an accredited school of cytotechnology, in addition to a bachelor's or associates degree, will substitute for three (3) years of technical experience.
• Graduation from an accredited school of cytotechnology, with a bachelor's or associates degree will substitute for three (3) years of technical experience.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of body systems to facilitate the evaluation of specimens obtained by a variety of techniques to include fine needle aspiration of major organ systems and subcutaneous masses; knowledge sufficient to check correlation and validity of results.
• Sufficient training to provide scientific and technical leadership in the specialties and subspecialties of cytotechnology.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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