The Committees of ASCT… The Fast Track to Becoming Involved

The Committee: Public Relations

by Sandy Giroux
Public Relations Chair

In August 2007, I completed by 29th year of service at Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) in Burlington, Vermont, my first and only cytology position! Thirty years ago I relocated from Manhattan to attend the Cytology Program at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont which over time evolved into FAHC. When I started the program I was planning on looking for employment somewhere in New England never knowing that I would be staying in Vermont much longer than the one year internship. Meeting my future husband, Ron was also an incentive to stay in Vermont.  I worked as a staff cytotechnologist for 3 years, cytology supervisor for 4 years before becoming the School of Cytotechnology’s Program Director. At that point I had come full circle by taking the directorship of the program that I had originally attended. This brought me great professional satisfaction. Since then I earned my Masters’ Degree in Administration and have graduated over 100 students (no wonder I’m tired)!

by Amy Wendel
Professional Standards and Practices Chair

It is an honor to be a serving as the chair of the Professional Standards and Practice Committee for the ASCT. I see my role as an opportunity to serve fellow-colleague cytotechnologists. I feel especially privileged to be involved in our ever-changing profession, heeding your concerns and working together towards innovative solutions.

Marty Boesenberg,
Membership Co-chair

I have been active in ASCT since the beginning of the society and have always felt that it is a vital voice in the medical community. I have been very proud of ASCT’s reputation for serious consideration and useful commentary on events and ideas that are important to the working cytotechnologist.

I have served as Regional Director twice, President once and Membership chair through at least three terms. I am pleased to be working with a co-chair this time and look forward to turning the reins over to Michelle Halstead. She has fresh ideas and the perspective of a much younger cytotech. I think she be a wonderful asset to connect ASCT with our new graduates and all of the professional community.

by Jill Caudill
Annual Meeting Chair

Duties – Set the agenda for the annual meeting.

Pluses about the job – You get to work with fantastic people as you set up speakers and topics.

Minuses – looming deadlines and playing phone and email tag with very busy folks.

What you might want to know – the agenda is set somewhere between September and November 1 – so if you have thoughts and ideas – communicate that with the chair as soon as you can.

by Debbie Hillsdon-Smith,
Long Range Planning Chair

I have been actively engaged in the field of cytology for a number of years in various roles as a cytotechnologist and in management. I have served in various volunteer positions in professional societies such as my current role as the Chair for the long range planning committee for ASCT.  I have also worked with ASCT Services, Inc. in the Chair and Secretary roles for a number of years to improve the business structure and policy. Past responsibilities for the ASCT have included committee member positions for Professional Standards and Practices and Public Relations. I like working with the ASCT because involvement has been an opportunity to support and encourage others while learning new skills and meeting new people with similar interests and goals for the field of cytology.  It has been a rewarding experience to see the changes in the field and work with so many unique and talented individuals. I encourage others to get involved!

May 13 - National Cytotechnology Day
2007 Winner, Vicki Schneider, CT(ASCP)

To commemorate Dr. George Papanicolaou's contributions to the field of medicine, May 13 - his birthday - has been designated National Cytotechnology Day (NCD).

The idea for NCD was first entertained and pursued at the ASCT Interim meeting in Atlanta, Georgia back in 1984 by ASCT member Bruce Buschmann. History was made the following year in Philadelphia, PA when the week of May12-18, 1985 became the first ever National Cytotechnology Week. The presentation of the proclamation, given by then Mayor of Philadelphia, W. Wilson Goode, was attended by Past ASCT President, Shirley Greening. Many local celebrations, mayoral and gubernatorial proclamations followed as NCD events grew in popularity.

DESIGN CONTEST
National Cytotechnology Day 2008

WINNER TO RECEIVE $100 CASH

Submit design and slogan by February 8, 2008
Entries should be submitted to:
 Nancy Yockel, NCD Chairman
PO Box 1573
 Bethany, OK 73008
nyockel@sbcglobal.net

by Don Simpson

Irvin Mayfield, a world-traveling jazz performer and cultural ambassador for New Orleans and Louisiana once stated that, “jazz is improvising, developing themes, motifs and ideas.” Analogous to the evolving practice of cytology, the challenge for jazz musicians is to take what you’ve got and make something better out of it. You come up with individualistic ideas, yet you have to leave enough space so others can come up with their own ideas and do it together at the same exact time or it doesn’t sound good.

Bench Cytotech
Pendleton, Oregon

Bench Cytotech for rural Oregon Community.  Ability to screen 70-80 conventional and liquid base slides per day.  Nongyn slide screening preferred but not necessary.  Salary DOE, excellent benefits.  Full and part time positions considered.  Please respond on line to orectyo@yahoo.com

Cytotechnologist, Florida
Salary:  Very Competitive
Sign-on Bonus:  Available
Relocation:  Some Assistance
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
State of the art facility in comfortable office environment. Small, growing, physician owned IL. Duties include screening, quality assurance, some cyto prep, procedure development and regulatory compliance. Mostly non gyn and FNAs. The addition of new clients to this growing lab will keep this position interesting and challenging. You will supervise 2 – 3 part time cyto techs. Quality focused with attention to detail, organized, independent, able to analyze data, present technical findings, advise subordinates. CT ASCP required. FL license or eligible. Familiarity with requirements of CAP Accreditation. 

For consideration, please forward your resume to:
Cathy Witherspoon
President & CEO
Witherspoon & Dowling, LLC
2 Birchleaf Lane
Greer, SC  29650
(864) 268-2189  Office
(864) 268-2191  Fax
(888) 292-2189  Toll Free
(864) 346-9919  Cell
cathy@witherspoonanddowling.com
www.witherspoonanddowling.com
"Finding Tomorrows Success Today!"

Cytotechnologist, Florida

State of the art facility in comfortable office environment. Small, growing, physician owned IL.

Duties include screening, quality assurance, some cyto prep, procedure development and regulatory compliance. Mostly non gyn and FNAs. The addition of new clients to this growing lab will keep this position interesting and challenging. You will supervise 2 – 3 part time cyto techs.

Quality focused individual with attention to detail, organized, independent, able to analyze data, present technical findings, and advise subordinates. Familiarity with requirements of CAP Accreditation. CT ASCP and FL license required or eligible. 

Dennis Wierck, SPHR
Human Resources Manager
Reliance Pathology Partners, LLC
5747 Hoover Blvd Tampa, FL 33634
Ph 813-886-8334
Fx 813-885-6352
wierckd@reliancepathology.com

Cytotechnologist/CT1 –Cytology Laboratory – 1275 York Ave., NYC
Microscopically examines preparations for cytologic evaluation, correlating clinical information with morphologic findings to make a final diagnosis on negative gynecologic slides and render a microscopic assessment on abnormal gynecologic and all non-gynecologic specimens pending diagnosis by a pathologist.

We require: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and CT(ASCP) certified or eligible. Must meet the requirements for the New York State Clinical Laboratory Technologist Licensure.  Must meet the requirements for the New York State Department of Health Cytotechnologist Registration.

Excellent computer, verbal and written communication skills.  Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM, Monday-Friday
Please apply at www.mskcc.org using reference # 013890

Cytotechnologist
California

Busy, independent lab seeks FT cytotechnologist to screen and evaluate a varied and interesting range on Non-GYN and GYN specimens.  GYN specimens are both liquid based and conventional.  Experience with CYTYC Imager is a plus.  Must be ASCP certified with current California license.  Salary based on experience.  Excellent benefits.  Please visit our website at www.dpmginc.com

Apply with resume to AP Fax:  916-446-5627

by Barbara McGahey-Frain, with Joanna Schoonover

Joanna Schoonover, currently of Shaker Heights, OH, claims to be a retired cytotechnologist but in her “retirement” has been working for CompHealth and has had an opportunity to see many different parts of the United States. Having spent her entire career as a cytotechnologist, Joanna is frequently asked what her favorite “era” in this constantly evolving field has been…..her answer? “The most fun I have had in cytology is in the present.”

by Janie Roberson, Legislative Consultant

The CLIA update included

• CYTOLOGY Proficiency Testing NPRM

            Revisions demanded by cytology community and supported by CLIAC CMS offered numerous opportunities to assist with compliance; listen educate and communicate
CMS/CDC convened a special CLIAC Work Group and Meeting
CMS collaborated with CDC to develop NPRM and it should be issued soon.  Cytopathologist representatives proposed legislation that requires only coned in an attempt to derail CLIAC statutory provisions for individual PT

• Pathologists without a cytotechnologist continue to fail at a greater rate than others.
• Failure rates for 06 are less than those for 05.

ASCT will be ready to present membership opinions both as an organization and assisting with individual responses when the Proposed Rule is issued. 

Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Room 352-G
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC  20201

Public Affairs Office

MEDICARE NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   
Tuesday, October 16, 2007                                             
                                                      
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that it has selected the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California metropolitan area as the first of two locations for a competitive bidding demonstration for clinical laboratory services provided to fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries.

If you’ve been wondering how you can make a difference in your profession, how you can have a voice in the issues that directly impact you…wonder no more! ASCT is what you’ve been looking for!

The ASCT Executive Council, the Society’s governing body, is made up of 5 Regional Directors, President, President-Elect, Treasurer and Legislative Consultant. ASCT is now seeking nominees for President-Elect and Region Directors of Regions 1,3 & 5 to continue leading the organization forward in its mission, as the collective voice for the profession, to define and promote Cytotechnology.

The 2006 Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Women with Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests the Management of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Adenocarcinoma in situ* were published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2007;197(4); 346-355) and are now available for review on the ASCCP website at http://www.asccp.org/consensus.shtml.  

Governor Signs Aanestad Medical Technology Bill

SB 366 Results in Improved Health Care for California Patients

SACRAMENTO: Senate Bill 366 authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) was recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. The measure will continue to allow California laboratories to follow workload requirements established by the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), when gynecologic slides are reviewed with the use of state-of-the-art equipment and processes to detect cervical cancer.