Extra Help - Cytotechnologist - Labs/Pathology Services
This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.
Hiring Department: Labs/Pathology Services
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1040474
Hours per Week: 20
# of Positions: 1
Workplace Type: On-Site
Posting Close Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
Salary: The rate of pay for this position is $43.82 per hour.
About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health
This position is not eligible for benefits.
Position Summary
The Extra Help Cytotechnologist is a skilled professional that supports the delivery of patient care by performing highly complex laboratory testing. The primary job function of the Extra Help Cytotechnologist is the screening and interpretation of cytology slides, both gynecologic and non-gynecologic, for malignant cells and/or their precursors that are utilized in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Screen and interpret gynecological and non-gynecological cytology slides for specific identification of cells.
- Comprehend severity of any abnormal specimens and relate the abnormality clearly to the Cyto-pathologist.
- Independently perform Adequacy Assessment of Imaged-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration, with Fellow/Resident and or Faculty backup.
- Perform invitro molecular diagnostic procedures, including manual and automated HPV systems.
- Provides customer related services and interacts with clients to provide and/or clarify laboratory information. Communicates matters of technical importance to physicians, caregivers, and customers on multiple systems as is appropriate.
- Sign out negative gynecological cases and report nonmalignant incidental findings (i.e., microbiological organisms, viral diseases, and inflammatory changes) according to Bethesda guidelines, ensuring correct patient identification, demographic information and clinical history.
- Triage all reactive, abnormal and unsatisfactory cases by queuing them to the Cyto-pathologist on service.
- Sign out molecular (HPV) results into the Path-net system ensuring correct patient identification, demographics and clinical history.
- Register, accession, and complete all applications necessary to identify patient specimens.
- Perform quality control/quality assurance procedures and maintains appropriate documentation that complies with regulatory requirements for the laboratory. Quality assurance measures may include but are not limited to follow-up of cases and correlation of cytology cases with surgical pathology findings.
- Complete all mandated courses regarding Regulatory, Safety, and University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System.
- Participate in ongoing continuing education.
- Successfully pass yearly mandated Proficiency Testing.
- Participate with higher level technologists or academic staff members in special projects, research or testing of new or modified techniques
- Accurately process, prepare and stain all cytology specimens (gynecologic and non-gynecologic) and assist other cytotechnologists and cyto-prep technicians in cyto-preparation, when needed.
- File cytology slides and requisitions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
- Adequacy assessment for FNA procedures
- HPV / molecular diagnostics
- Signing out cases (gynecologic + molecular)
- Case triaging workflows
- Patient/specimen accessioning
- Proficiency testing & continuing education
- Regulatory training requirements
- Research / special projects
- Filing slides and requisitions
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biological science, clinical lab science, medical lab technician, medical technologist, Allied health or a closely related field, qualifying the applicant to take the national ASCP certifying examination.
- Successful completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited Cytotechnology program within the last five (5) years (60 months).
- Meet CLIA 88 requirements (CFR. 493. 1483).
Preferred Qualifications
- Completion of training on daily bench assignments with a staff technologist or supervisor.
- Experience or strong knowledge of cytodiagnosis, including gynecologic, non-gynecologic, and aspiration biopsy cytology.
- Familiarity with cytology preparation techniques, including routine and special stains and fixatives.
- Prior experience working in a clinical or hospital laboratory setting.
- Proven ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
