Cytoprep Technician

Position Title: Cytopreparation Technician
Employer: Solvet Services, LLC
Work Location: Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
Employment Type: Full-Time

Contract Length: Base Year - Plus 4 Option Years

• Expected Schedule (Monday – Friday) for the following shifts:
• Day, Mid, and Night shifts available
• Note: The daily tour of duty is eight and a half hours including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Position Summary

Solvet Services is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Cytopreparation Technician to support the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Memphis VA Medical Center. The Cytopreparation Technician is responsible for the preparation and processing of cytology specimens for microscopic examination, ensuring the production of high-quality slides for interpretation by cytopathologists. The successful candidate will maintain strict adherence to laboratory quality standards, patient safety protocols, and applicable federal regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The Cytopreparation Technician will be expected to receive a variety of specimens, e.g., urine, sputum, and fine needle aspirates, brushings, and washings from various body sites, which must be prepared for cytologic examination.
• The incumbent is responsible for assuring that specimens and their accompanying request forms are properly identified, but if discrepancies exist to take appropriate action.
• Specimen Intake: Receive, clock-in, and verify clinical samples from couriers or medical staff. Specimens must be accessioned and recorded in the computer. Approximate volume, density, and color of specimens mustbe indicated on the accompanying request forms in addition to the numbers of slides/smears received when received into the laboratory.

• Must be well versed in the safe handling of potentially infectious material. Apply cyto-preparation techniques including centrifuging, smearing, cell block production, and initial slide staining & cover-slipping slides whether automated or manual.
• Must closely examine fluid samples for suspended tissue fragments and prepare cell blocks by the various cell block techniques and procedures.
• Incumbent must periodically view slide preparations microscopically to determine the quality of stain and technique. If preparation quality is not satisfactory, must take corrective action.

Lab Maintenance: Clean equipment, monitor chemical reagents, restock consumables, and perform minor instrument troubleshooting. Responsible for cleaning the glassware used in this section as well as maintaining an orderly and clean work area.

• Maintains specimen accession logbook. Can assist maintaining the slide files for easy retrieval when necessary. Also responsible for daily runs to collect specimens kept in the Main Laboratory section as well as stocking supplies for distribution to various clinics at VAMC Memphis and to outside Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) sites.

• Must have knowledge and skill to process cell samples (gynecologic and
• non-gynecologic) using liquid-based instrumentation. Responsible for
• instrument troubleshooting, calibration and pneumatic test runs.

Cytopreparation Technicians do not require licensure nor certification.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of laboratory experience in cytology, histology, pathology, or a clinical laboratory preferred.
• Experience with liquid-based cytology preparation systems preferred.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and infection control practices.
• Ability to accurately follow written procedures and maintain detailed documentation.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency with computer systems and laboratory information systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Security Requirements

• Must successfully complete all required background investigations and credentialing necessary for access to VA facilities.
• Must comply with all Veterans Affairs security, privacy, cybersecurity, and information protection requirements.
• Must maintain eligibility to work under federal government contracts.

For consideration please forward your resume to bkremposky@solvet.com