Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

Responsible for the technical operation of the cytology section; assists the Pathologist(s) by preparing, screening and evaluating all NON – GYN cytology specimens. Responsible for maintaining the quality of the work output for the cytology section and ensuring the timely completion of all test procedures. Maintains the supply of all materials necessary in the Cytology Laboratory; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of Cytology.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Accessions, grossly describes, prepares, stains, coverslips, and labels all Cytology specimens as needed.
• Screens and microscopically evaluates all Cytology Specimens; no more than 80 slides per 24 hour period.  Includes initial    recognition and interpretation of a wide variety of pathologic entities and potentially cancerous changes by cytomorphology.  Identifies areas on slides for Pathologist review and records initial interpretations.
• Locates and correlates previous surgical and cytologic material to the current cytology case for review and/or diagnosis by the Pathologist.  Obtains pertinent clinical history when none is given.
• Assists the Pathologists and Radiologists in the collection, preparation and immediate interpretation of FNAs.  This includes the use of rapid Pap and/or other diagnostic stains.  Keeps FNA kit and cart stocked at all times.
• Knows how to use and maintain all cytology equipment.
• Takes proper personal safety precautions by using the biohazard cabinet and fume hood when dealing with potentially biohazardous materials/specimens.
• Responsible for maintaining the CAP workload and annual statistics, as well as quality control data.
• Coordinates and participates in appropriate continuing education.
• Performs such additional duties as may be assigned by the Operations Manager. 

Qualifications:

• Qualified as a cytotechnologist under 42CFR493.1483, with at least 3 years of full-time experience as a cytotechnologists within the preceding 10 years.

Education:

• Graduated from a Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) accredited school of cytotechnology or other organization approved by Health and Human Services (HHS) or certified in cytotechnology by a certification agency approved by HHS.
• Before September 1, 1992, have successfully completed two years in an accredited institution (twelve hours in science, eight hours of which are in biology) and have twelve months training in an approved school of cytotechnology or have received six months formal training in an approved school and six months full-time experience or before September 1, 1992, have achieved a satisfactory grade in an HHS proficiency test for cytotechnologists.
• Have either graduated from a CAHEA-approved school or be certified as a cytotechnologist.

Licenses:

• Valid California Cytotechnologist License, required.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work.

*Salary/Hourly Wage range based on experience.

To protect the health of patients and staff, and to comply with the new State of California mandates, all job offers are contingent on the successful engagement in the TCMC COVID-19 vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral.)

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.