Djuna M. Darnell
Goodyear,AZ
Summary
Professional with comprehensive experience in cytology, and laboratory management. Active member in the field, with a passion for cytology to explore next steps in my professional career. Proven ability to lead teams, streamline processes, and ensure accurate results in high-stakes environments. Strong focus on collaboration, adaptability to changing needs, innovation and achieving impactful outcomes. Skilled in diagnostic techniques, ethical quality standard, regulatory compliance and customer focus.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cytology Manager
Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL)
07.2016 - Current
- Co-manager with oversite SQL Papago Cytology of two commercial lab locations with over 30 cytologists
- Oversite of SQL Alvernon and BUMCT Cytology including 3 cytologist, supervisor and support services
- Established strong relationships with referring physicians to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and improve patient outcomes.
- Affiliation with Banner Health having staff in eight facilities across the state
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated diagnostic approaches, enhancing patient care across departments.
- Assisted with bringing in the University of Nebraska Medical Center satellite/distance learning site to SQL – Baccalaureate in Cytotechnology
- Back-up for site coordinator and Clinical Instructor
- First class graduated August 2021
- Master’s Diagnostic Cytology Program - changed 2023
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for staff members, offering constructive feedback and facilitating individual career development plans.
- Maintained strict adherence to regulatory requirements, ensuring successful audits and accreditation renewals for the cytology lab.
- Implemented cost-saving strategies within the cytology department, reducing overall operational expenses without compromising service quality.
- Improved laboratory efficiency by streamlining cytology workflows and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Budget responsibilities
- Spearheaded efforts to adopt cutting-edge technologies in the cytology lab, increasing testing capabilities and improving turnaround times for results.
- Support pathologists, staff instruction and training, other disciplines, sales & marketing, customer/client base
- Enhanced diagnostic accuracy for patients through rigorous quality assurance measures in the cytology department.
- Served as a key liaison between the cytology team and hospital administration, effectively advocating for resources and support required to maintain high-quality service delivery.
- Facilitated interdepartmental communication to streamline workflows between pathology, radiology, and other relevant departments involved in patient care delivery processes.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the team, encouraging innovation and professional growth among staff members.
- · Assisted in recruiting top talent for the cytology department, conducting interviews, and making hiring decisions that contributed to building a strong, skilled team.
- Job Shadowing Program Mentor 2021 - current
- Client visits, FNA procedure training and support
- Procedure review
System Technical Specialist, Cytology
Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL)
01.2006 - 07.2016
- Banner Hospital Integration Teams
- Banner MD Anderson Integration with site visit for process development to MD Anderson Houston
- CAP Readiness – System (Banner and SQL facilities)
- CAP Pap Proficiency Test
- Coordinates PAP PT for Banner and SQL facilities
- Renewal orders for Banner and SQL facilities
- Client Visits
- Staff and Client FNA procedure training
- SurePath
- ThinPrep
- Digene conversion
- Computer Knowledge
- Cerner Millennium
- AP PathNet support from build, validation, staff and pathologist training to Go-Live in August of 2007
- Continued support
- NeTLIMS
- Cytology support from build, validation, staff training and Go-Live in July 2014
- Continued support
- NovoPath
- Cytology support from build, validation, staff and pathologist training and Go-Live in July 2006
- Continued support
- QuestLab/QPS
- FS Pro (Info Mapping)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Vantage
- Department Tours
- Document Management Project Team Member
- MasterControl Conversion support from build, validation and Go-Live 2016
- Instrument Validation
- Periodic Patient Chart Review/Cradle to Grave Review
- Cerner
- NeTLIMS
- All cytology procedures for Banner and SQL facilities
- Banner Intranet Procedures
- Biennial Review
- Updates to the SQL Reference Manual
- Instrument review and validation
- Support for NGYN processing and GYN prep
- System Standardization of procedures
- Endoscopy – ENB, EBUS and EUS
- Radiology – FNA procedures
- Surgical Pathology and Cytology
Cytotechnologist
SQL
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Evaluated gynecologic (GYN): ThinPrep Pap Test, Imaged ThinPrep Paps and conventional
- Evaluated non-gynecologic (NGYN)/Fine Needle Aspirations (FNA) specimens
- Evaluated cell blocks
- Assisted on FNA procedures with adequacy assessment
- Rotating Hospital cytotechnologist at BUMCP and BEMC
- Accessioned specimens into Cerner Classic
Clinical Instructor
University of Louisville
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Company Overview: School of Allied Health Sciences Cytotechnology Program
- School of Allied Health Sciences Cytotechnology Program
Chief Cytotechnologist
Lourdes Hospital
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Evaluated and prepared GYN (ThinPrep Pap Test and conventional) and NGYN/FNA specimens
- Assisted on FNA procedures with adequacy assessment
- Used various staining techniques (Pap, Hema 3 and Toluidine Blue)
- Computer input and retrieval of clinical information using the Meditech Information System
- Procedure writing with review and updates for Cytology and Histology, successfully passing CAP Inspection
- Instituted the ThinPrep 2000 Processor to Cytology lab
- Coordinated meetings and presentations to Clinicians on ThinPrep 2000 Processor and the ThinPrep Pap Test before and after instillation
- Trained Staff Pathologist on ThinPrep Pap Test evaluation
- Assisted with Capital Budget with cost analysis, Inventory and Supply request
- Received the Partners in Excellence Award for Customer Service – 2000 and 2005
Cytotechnologist
Harris Methodist Hospital
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Evaluated and prepared GYN (ThinPrep Pap Test and conventional) and NGYN/FNA specimens
- Evaluated cell blocks
- Assisted on FNA procedures with adequacy assessment
- Used various staining techniques (Pap, GMS, Diff-Quik and H & E)
- Computer input and retrieval of clinical information using the Antrim and CoPath Systems
- Digene Hybrid Capture HPV Assay with patient testing, validation and procedure development
Cytotechnologist
Baptist Hospital
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Evaluated and prepared GYN and NGYN/FNA specimens
- Evaluated cell blocks
- Assisted on FNA procedures with adequacy assessment
- Used various staining techniques (Pap, GMS, AFB, Diff-Quik, H & E and Immunoperoxidase)
- Computer input and retrieval of clinical information using the Sunquest Information Systems
Clinical Instructor
University of Tennessee at Memphis
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Company Overview: Allied Health Cytotechnology Program
- Allied Health Cytotechnology Program
Clinical Instructor
University of Louisville
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Company Overview: School of Allied Health Sciences Cytotechnology Program
- School of Allied Health Sciences Cytotechnology Program
Cytotechnologist
University of Louisville Medical Center
01.1991 - 01.1993
- Evaluated and prepared GYN and NGYN/FNA specimens
- Evaluated cell blocks
- Assisted on FNA procedures with immediate evaluation
- Exposure to special stains and staining techniques
- Computer input and retrieval of clinical information using the Surge Pathology System
Medical Laboratory Technician
University of Louisville Medical Center
01.1989 - 01.1991
- Worked in all areas of the Clinical Laboratory
- Testing, evaluation and resulting of serum, plasma, whole blood and other body fluids
- Operation and maintenance of various automated clinical instrumentation
- Computer input and retrieval of clinical information using ILS-5 Information System
Education
Certificate - Cytotechnology
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY05-1991
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Lambuth College (University)
Jackson, TN05-1987
Skills
- Laboratory management
- Collaboration across several disciplines and specialties
- Subject matter expert in Cytology and Anatomic Pathology
- Effective communication
- Regulatory compliance, and Standard operating procedures
- Problem-solving
- Laboratory operations
- Professionalism, ensuring Quality and Integrity
- Innovation - Digital Cytology
- Computer literacy
Accomplishments
All Star Value Award, 2007, For Living the Values, Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL)
Certification
- Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP); 3/1/1997.
- Certified Cytotechnologist (CT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP); 8/1/1991.
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Affiliate Member, 1991 - present
- American Society of Cytopathology, Affiliate Member, 2024 - present
- Arizona Cytology Association (ACA), 2004 - 2018, association no longer active, President, 2005 - 2006, President-elect, 2004 - 2005, Member At Large, 2006 - 2007
- Kentuckiana Cytology Society, 1991 - 1995, Charter Member, 1991 - 1995, President Elect, 1992 - 1993, Secretary, 1991 - 1992
Continuing Education
Yearly participation in webinars, eLearning, CAP Pap and NGYN.
Hobbies and Interests
- Thrifting
- Antiques
- Crafts
- Music
Timeline
Cytology Manager
Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL)
07.2016 - Current
System Technical Specialist, Cytology
Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL)
01.2006 - 07.2016
Cytotechnologist
SQL
01.2002 - 01.2006
Clinical Instructor
University of Louisville
01.2001 - 01.2002
Chief Cytotechnologist
Lourdes Hospital
01.2000 - 01.2002
Cytotechnologist
Harris Methodist Hospital
01.1997 - 01.2000
Cytotechnologist
Baptist Hospital
01.1993 - 01.1997
Clinical Instructor
University of Tennessee at Memphis
01.1993 - 01.1997
Clinical Instructor
University of Louisville
01.1992 - 01.1993
Cytotechnologist
University of Louisville Medical Center
01.1991 - 01.1993
Medical Laboratory Technician
University of Louisville Medical Center
01.1989 - 01.1991
- Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP); 3/1/1997.
- Certified Cytotechnologist (CT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP); 8/1/1991.
Certificate - Cytotechnology
University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Lambuth College (University)
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