Cytology Lab Assistant

PathGroup•Coppell, TX

About The Position

The Cytology Lab Assistant is qualified as high-complexity testing personnel under CLIA-88 regulations. The position is responsible for accessioning and gross examination of tissue specimens independently under the direction of the Medical Director of Pathology. The employee must complete a documented training program in accordance with CLIA standards and meet department and quality assurance standards. The role includes preparing specimens for examination and further testing, maintaining supplies and routine solutions, handling hazardous waste and specimens according to procedures, and keeping the work area clean. The employee must follow laboratory safety precautions and procedures, review procedure manuals and remain current on procedural changes. All responsibilities must be performed in alignment with industry security practices and regulatory guidelines to protect protected health information and other sensitive company data, and in accordance with the Corporate Compliance Program and corporate policies, including Privacy and Security policies.

Requirements

Must qualify as high-complexity testing personnel under CLIA-88 regulations.
Minimum of one year of previous job-related experience in a health care environment.
An earned associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution, or equivalent education and training including at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution.
Required coursework for the equivalent-education pathway: 24 semester hours in medical laboratory technology, or 24 semester hours in science courses including 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.
Laboratory training through completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ABHES, CAHEA, or another organization approved by HHS; this training may be included in the 60 semester hours, or at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high-complexity testing.

Responsibilities

Complete a documented training program in accordance with CLIA standards.
Accession and prepare tissue specimens for gross examination.
Perform gross dissections of higher-complexity cases and smaller surgical and biopsy cases.
Perform gross dictations according to the department specimen protocol.
Hang tissue properly on processors.
Photograph specimens using Polaroid, digital, and 35 mm methods.
Prepare tissue for send-out testing, such as Lymphoma Phenotyping and Quantitative Iron studies.
Prepare routine solutions, maintain an inventory of supplies, store supplies in the proper location, and keep a clean work area.
Properly handle and dispose of hazardous waste, including xylene, reagent alcohol, formaldehyde, and B-Plus, and dispose of specimens according to procedures.
Meet department and quality assurance standards.
Review procedure manuals and stay current with procedural changes.
Exercise laboratory safety precautions and follow procedures in laboratory manuals.
Protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information and other sensitive company data by following security practices and regulatory guidelines.
Abide by the Corporate Compliance Program and corporate policies, including Privacy and Security policies.