Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

A Cytology Prep Technician prepares biological specimens for microscopic examination by pathologists and cytotechnologists. Their primary duties involve accessioning samples, processing fluids and tissues using techniques like ThinPrep, performing slide staining, and maintaining laboratory equipment and inventory to ensure strict quality control

Core Responsibilities

• Specimen Processing: Receive, reconcile, and accession biological samples (e.g., body fluids, fine-needle aspirates, and tissue biopsies) into the Laboratory Information System
• Slide Preparation: Process samples using automated processors and manual methods to create smears, cytospins, and cell blocks.
• Staining & Coverslipping: Execute staining protocols (such as Papanicolaou and modified rapid Pap stains) and coverslip slides for review.
• Quality Control: Maintain daily logs, troubleshoot laboratory equipment, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards like CLIA and CAP.
• Waste Management: Safely handle hazardous chemicals (like xylene) and dispose of biohazard waste according to safety protocols.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Typically requires an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a biological, physical, or clinical laboratory science.
• Experience: Often requires 6 to 12 months of prior experience in an anatomic pathology or clinical laboratory setting.
• Certifications: While not always mandatory for entry-level roles, ASCP certification (such as HT or HTL) is highly preferred and occasionally required by larger hospital networks.
• Physical Demands: Requires the ability to stand or sit for long periods, fine motor/finger dexterity, and the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

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