Residence Requirements:

THERE ARE NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXAMINATION. There is one anticipated vacancy at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation. 

Examples of Duties:

A Cytotechnologist performing specialized biological tests to determine the presence of abnormal cells; 

Prepares smears by centrifuging fluid specimens;

Prepares slides for microscopic examination from smears by fixing, dehydrating, staining, counter-staining and coverslipping;

Prepares necessary stains and solutions;

Prepares filter discs from fluids;

Mounts filter discs on slides for staining and coverslipping;

Marks areas in which abnormal cells are detected for evaluation by supervisors;

Sets up apparatus and equipment required for various procedures;

Receives smears and performs work necessary for proper labeling of specimen and recording of data;

Maintains equipment and instruments; Makes out preliminary reports;

Files slides in permanent record file.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cytotechnology or related field from a program which meets the requirements of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 79, Subpart 79.14.1; or

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry or the physical sciences from a program which meets the requirements of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 79, Subpart 79.14.1; or

C) Submission of application for licensure to practice as a Cytotechnologist by September 1, 2007 in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 79, Subpart 79.14.4 Special Provisions and two (2) years (2880 clock hours) experience as a cytotechnologist and possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Cytotechnology, Biology, Chemistry or the physical sciences by September 1, 2008; or

D) Submission of application for licensure to practice as a Cytotechnologist by September 1, 2007 in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 79, Subpart 79.14.4 Special Provisions and possession of a Certificate of Qualification to practice as a cytotechnologist that was issued by the City of New York Department of Health prior to 1995.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Eligibility for licensure or limited permit to practice as a Cytotechnologist at time of application;

Possession of a license or limited permit to practice as a Cytotechnologist as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment;

Possession of a license to practice as a Cytotechnologist as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of permanent appointment.

Notes:

1. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements.

2. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

General laboratory principles and practices

These questions test for knowledge of such areas as care and handling of toxic/dangerous materials; simple first aid and safety procedures; the metric system; simple laboratory calculations; care and use of laboratory glassware and equipment; and common laboratory procedures.
 

Histology reagents and stains

These questions test for knowledge of the appropriate reagents and stains to use in preparing tissue samples for histologic examination.
 

Histology instruments, materials, and techniques

These questions test for knowledge of the instruments, materials, and techniques employed in preparing tissue samples for histologic examination.
 

Use, care, and operation of laboratory instruments

These questions test for knowledge of common laboratory instruments. Questions may cover such topics as underlying principles, uses, and advantages of laboratory instrument methodologies; calibration, preventive maintenance, and corrective actions as applied to common laboratory equipment and instruments; and basic statistics as they relate to laboratory analysis and quality control.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.