Overview
Job Title : Medical Technologist with Histotechnology/Cytotechnology
Department : Medical Laboratory
Reports To : Laboratory Superintendent
Relations and Responsibilities:
Reports to the Laboratory Superintendent and is responsible for examining microscopic slides and studies cells of human body to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions, following established standards and practices.
You will also be expected to assist in the training of new staff in your area of proficiency
Expected to respond to the Pathologist and Laboratory Superintendent on matters relating to activities in progress or work to be assigned and accomplished in order to maintain smooth operations of the Laboratory department. The job requires that you work and maintain an effective working relationship with employees and the public.
Working Hours:
Required to work a shift system of no more than forty (37 1/2) hours per week, which may include coverage on weekends and holidays, and emergency situations as required by organizational needs or as scheduled by your supervisor. You are entitled to a one (1) hour lunch break each workday
Characteristic Duties and Functions:
General Responsibilities:
1. Observe and adhere to the Confidentiality policies of the Hospital.
2. Observe Safety protocols of the industry and the Hospital to include the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness procedures.
3. Be familiar with St. Jude Hospital Preparedness Plan and departmental role in this plan
4. Maintain a clean, organized and hazard-free work environment.
5. Safeguard the property of the hospital for which you are responsible.
6. Responsible for your professional development – Updates job knowledge by participating
in educational opportunities and reading professional publications.
7. Attend meetings and in-service programs as schedule by the department/organization.
8. Participate and communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary team.
9. Observe Communication, Grievance Escalation, Incident Reporting and all other protocols of the hospital
10. Be punctual for work as scheduled and be prepared to accept assignments and follow
instructions in order to perform daily duties.
11. Notify the immediate supervisor or management (in the absence of immediate supervisor)
when leaving compound and/or will be absent from duty.
12. Maintain professional deportment in dress, hygiene, behaviour and communication at all
times.
Primary Responsibilities:
1. Prepares microscopic slides from specimens of blood, scrapings, or other bodily exudates, and fixes and stains slide to preserve specimen and enhance visibility of cells under microscope.
2. Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body to detect abnormal conditions.
3. Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes and examines to determine specimen quality.
4. Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements
5. Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
6. Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.
7. Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to Pathologists for further examination
8. Adjust, maintain, or repair laboratory equipment such as microscopes.
9. Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
10. Assist pathologists or other physicians to collect cell samples such as by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies, cytology and bone marrow aspirate/biopsy.
11. Document specimens by verifying patient’s and specimen’s information.
12. Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collections, preparation, or laboratory safety.
13. Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or micro-incinerate
tissue samples.
14. Perform procedures associated with histo-chemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.
15. Utilizes centrifuge to separate cells and sediment from blood serum
16. Establish and monitor quality assurance programs and activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
17. Perform quality control checks of instruments, solutions, and test results against established standards.
18. Perform testing on samples for Standardization and (External Quality Assessment) EQA programs
19. Report pap smear findings for submission to Consultant Pathologist.
20. Report pap smears in the LIS
21. Provide teaching, oversight and supervision of medical tech students and other junior staff as required.
22. Refer performance issues in a timely manner to the immediate supervisor.
23. Perform any other duties as is reasonably within your scope of practice that may be assigned by immediate supervisor and/or Management.
Conditions:
1. Work within a professional health care environment which requires the use of patience and sound judgment, excellent customer relations, quick thinking and day to day problem solving, being resourceful and efficient in performing tasks, team leadership and team player and ability to make appropriate decisions and work independently.
2. Required to be in excellent health; requires both physical and mental conditioning in order to engage in and focus on activities over an extended period of time.
3. Institutional support is provided through appropriate Regulations, Statutory instruments, policies, departmental guidelines and procedures.
4. Required to work on call/call out.
5. Opportunities exist for personal development and advancement through general and formal specialized in-service and external training, as well as, through self-directed learning Salary will be paid in accordance with the terms stipulated by Government in the Estimates of Expenditure commensurate with experience and qualifications for the post.
6. Effective implementation of duties and responsibilities as defined in this job description.
Evaluation Method:
1. Effective implementation of duties, handling of responsibilities and carrying out assignments as defined in this job description.
2. Compliance with safety guidelines, operating rules, policies and regulations established by the hospital management.
3. Initiative taken and cooperation demonstrated in the efficient completion of duties and tasks assigned.
4. Contribution towards the achievement of departmental and organizational goals.
5. Appropriate conduct and adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
Skill, Knowledge and Abilities:
1. Ability to maintain confidentiality
2. Ability to interpret medical/surgical terminology
3. Working knowledge and demonstrated understanding of all aspects of the area of Cytology and Histology.
4. Demonstrated ability to keep updated with current scientific data with respect to medical laboratory technology and Cytology.
5. Working knowledge and demonstrate understanding of Laboratory procedures
6. Working knowledge of modernize Laboratory methods, techniques and equipment
7. Working knowledge of established Regulations, Departmental Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures
8. Ability to perform highly detailed microscopic work for long periods of time.
9. Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office computer applications.
10. Ability to work methodically to issue accurate and timely specimen reports
11. Ability to communicate effectively with employees and other health care professionals
12. Good communication and interpersonal skills
13. Ability to handle assignments independently.
14. Ability to pay attention to detail
15. Excellent time management skills.
16. Strong observational and analytical skills.
17. Ability to use sound judgment and decision-making as it pertains to area of responsibility
18. Ability to work under pressure, conduct sound analysis and ensure accuracy.
19. Must be flexible with working hours
Qualifications and Experience:
- Associate or Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology with specialty in Cytology/Histology.
- Certificate or Diploma in Cytotechnology/Histology
Requirement:
Possess a valid registration with the St. Lucia Allied Health Council
Possess a valid St. Lucian Driver’s License
This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only
standards for the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other
related duties as may be required. St. Jude Hospital reserves the right to revise this job
description at any time.
Application Procedure
Applications accompanied by resume and certified certificates should be submitted no later
than, May 18th 2024, and sent to:
Human Resources Department
St. Jude Hospital
P.O. Box 331
Vieux–Fort St. Lucia.
Or email job applications to humanresource@stjudehospitalslu.org
(Whilst we thank all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted)