Natasha Jovanovic-Vuskovic
San Diego,USA
Summary
- Nineteen years ASCP Board certified cytotechnologist with BS in Health Sciences, Cytotechnology Track.
- Nineteen years of combined laboratory experience in anatomic pathology as a lab supervisor, a cytotechnologist, a grossing technician, and a researcher.
- Four months of consulting experience with a pharmaceutical startup company.
- Extensive experience in gynecological cytology; certified for SurePath, ThinPrep and ThinPrep Image-guided screening.
- Extensive experience in non-gynecological cytology and circulating tumor cell cytology.
- Experience in teaching of gynecological cytopathology, single cell isolation training, student internship mentoring and preparing self-studying material for continuing education purposes.
- Nearly three years of experience in single cell isolation and fluorescence microscopy.
- Over four years of managerial experience in an administrative environment, working with cross-functional teams globally.
- Nearly three years of managerial experience in a CAP/CLIA certified laboratory.
- Experience in setting up and maintaining lab space and equipment, as well as implementation of various laboratory safety programs.
- Experience in organizing large profession-related events, such as professional conferences and company anniversary events.
- Worked in a team setting in a large hospital, a large corporate laboratory setting and a medical R&D start-up company.
- Strong organizational skills; quick learner, self-starter, team player and excellent attention to detail.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Casual Cytotechnologist
LabCorp Inc.
07.2023 - Current
- Screening gynecological and non-gynecological specimens for detection of cancer and other cytologically detectable diseases and conditions
- Performing QC screening
- Regular participation in continuing education and the proficiency testing programs
- Verification of accuracy of patient information
Single Cell Isolation Lab Supervisor
Epic Sciences
07.2022 - 02.2025
- Managing a team of one full-time and seven part-time single cell isolations techs.
- Ensuring proper staffing, scheduling and workload distribution.
- Monitoring staff adherence to local, state and federal regulation.
- Reviewing and monitoring of staff training and competency in patient testing procedures.
- Monitoring ongoing lab and staff compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Setting up and managing lab inventory.
- Making sure the lab operates within budget.
- Responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the cell isolation, and cytology and circulating tumor cell/rare cell classification.
- Ensuring equipment setup and maintenance is established, performed and documented.
- Performing regular troubleshooting of operational issues on inverted epifluorescence microscopes, light engines and other elements of cell isolation systems.
- Member of the Lab Safety Committee.
- Establishing new and updating existing SOPs for cell isolation, cell classification, use and maintenance of microscopes and/or cell selection for clinical samples.
- Reviewing daily work and equipment maintenance documentation.
- Overseeing establishment and implementation of continuing education programs.
- Collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports.
- Monitoring established procedures for improvement opportunities
Cytology General Supervisor
Epic Sciences
04.2023 - 10.2023
- Responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the laboratory
- Handling all technical aspects of cytology and circulating tumor cell/rare cell classification
- Ensuring equipment setup and maintenance is established, performed and documented
- Participation in the establishment of SOPs for cell image classification, use and maintenance of cell isolation systems and/or cell selection for R&D samples
- Review of daily work documentation
- Overseeing implementation of continuing education program
- Monitoring established procedures for improvement opportunities
Cytotechnologist
Epic Sciences
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Performing specimen testing and analysis on cytologic samples to aid the clinician in providing patient care services
- Performing single cell isolation
- Providing instruction in the basic cytology and cytopathology theory, technical skills, and application of cytology laboratory procedures
- Ensuring equipment setup and maintenance is established, performed and documented
- Participation in the establishment of SOPs for cell image classification, use and maintenance of microscopes and/or cell selection for clinical samples
Cytotechnologist
PathMD
09.2021 - 04.2023
- On-call; Screening gynecological and non-gynecological specimens for detection of cancer and other cytologically detectable diseases and conditions
- Verification of accuracy of patient information
- Reviewing and verifying results of PCR Covid-19 tests and reporting the results to clients
Cytotechnologist
Quest Diagnostics
11.2019 - 07.2022
- Screening gynecological specimens for detection of cancer and other cytologically detectable diseases and conditions
- Regular participation in continuing education and the proficiency testing programs
- Verification of accuracy of patient information
Student mentor
Quest Diagnostics
11.2019 - 07.2022
- Mentor a cytotechnology student during their internship at Quest Diagnostics, which included instructing them in common practices and professional standards of a cytology department, QCing their screening work and discussing missed cases with use of a multihead microscope
On-Call Grossing Technician
LabCorp
01.2010 - 12.2011
- On-call non-pathologist grosser of small biopsies, ellipses of skin (with margins), appendices, gallbladders, hernial sacs, placentas, products of conceptions, lipomas and other similar specimens.
- Verification of accuracy of patient information.
- Lab maintenance (supplies, storage of unused portions of specimens, thorough cleaning of working stations and grossing equipment at the end of the shift, etc.).
Cytotechnologist
LabCorp Inc.
04.2007 - 11.2019
- Screening gynecological and non-gynecological specimens for detection of cancer and other cytologically detectable diseases and conditions
- Evaluation of gynecologic, non-gynecologic and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cases as well as clinical trial cases including: sputum and respiratory brushings, urine and urinary tract washings and brushings, body fluids, cerebrospinal fluid, needle aspirations of breast, thyroid, salivary glands and lymph nodes; and cell blocks
- Performing QC screening
- Regular participation in continuing education and the proficiency testing programs
- Verification of accuracy of patient information
- Occasional preparation of cytological specimens and filing of screened slides
- In addition to daily administrative duties, assist lab manager as needed on duties such as updating SOPs, development of record-keeping tools for cytotechnologists, and researching and providing continuing education opportunities to supplement those provided by the company
- Cytopathology training also includes assisting and performing rapid evaluations of ultrasound-guided FNAs
Consultant
CONICK Biotech LLC
06.2019 - 10.2019
- Adviser and assistant to the Owner and CEO on matters of pathology of microbial diseases and devising the best strategy to start the company
Adjunct Instructor
Old Dominion University
01.2006 - 02.2007
- Taught Gynecological Cytopathology Screening Lab
- Responsible for preparing teaching materials and managing Blackboard activities
- Also, prepared, administered and graded written and glass-slide tests
Student Assistant
Old Dominion University
09.2002 - 06.2003
- Set-up and maintained database of students’ data, sent to ODU through dislocated workers programs, such as Nextep, that included courses they attended, which in turn provided funding to the ODU
- Assisted the manager with various tasks, including communication with potential students and advertising
Grossing Technician
General Hospital Pathologists (Sentara VB General Hospital)
02.1997 - 07.2001
- Non-pathologist grosser of small biopsies, ellipses of skin (with margins), appendices, gallbladders, hernial sacs, placentas, products of conceptions, lipomas and other similar specimens
- Verification of accuracy of patient information
- Lab maintenance (supplies, storage of unused portions of specimens, thorough cleaning of working stations and grossing equipment at the end of the shift, etc.)
- Developed a system for sample accessioning numbers, which enabled better tracking of samples
Office Manager
Alma Quattro Ltd.
02.1997 - 07.2001
- Managed two direct reports
- Collaborated daily with supervisors of other departments and general manager of all internal and external departments of the company
- Coordinated execution of billboard advertising process
- Daily activities included correspondence in Serbian and English, maintaining executive calendars and meeting agendas, preparing materials used in executive presentations, making travel arrangements managing inventory, making invoices for customers and preparing documents for accounting department
- Tracked and prepared quarterly reports on financial status and business activities of the company for both foreign and local owners
- Managed operational budget
- Prepared payroll
- Trained new members of staff
- Organized company’s social activities, such as the yearly New Year’s celebration, employee appreciation events, continuing education, etc
Education
Forensic Sciences -
National University
San Diego, California01.2013
B.S. - Health Sciences – Cytotechnology Track
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia12.2005
Skills
- Diagnostic Cytology
- Compound and Fluorescence Microscopy
- Cytology Lab Operations
- Teaching
- Research
Accomplishments
PUBLICATIONS:
Complex Modeling of Histone-Mediated Apoptosis And Effect on Chromatin Accumulation
Sterling Thomas, Sophie Thompson, MHS, CT (ASCP) (IAC), Danail Bonchev, PhD, Chao-Kun Cheng, PhD, Natasa Jovanovic-Vuskovic, BS
Cancer Cytopathology: A Section of the American Cancer Society Journal CANCER, 2006.
Certification
- ASCP (CT), #14195, 01/2026
- ThinPrep Certification, 03/29/2025
- SurePath Certification, 03/29/2025
- ThinPrep Imaging System Certification, 03/29/2025
Professional Memberships
- Virginia Society of Cytotechnologists, 2003
- American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2005
- American Society of Cytopathology, 2010
- California Association of Cytotechnologists, 2010, Member of the Board from 2012 to 2013, Co-Chair of CAC Annual Conference in 2013, Administrator of the CAC group pages on LinkedIn, LabRoots, and MySDScience
Other Memberships
- Mensa International (Serbian chapter), 2000
- Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, 2002
Publications
Complex Modeling of Histone-Mediated Apoptosis And Effect on Chromatin Accumulation, Cancer Cytopathology: A Section of the American Cancer Society Journal CANCER, 10/25/2006, Sterling Thomas, Sophie Thompson, MHS, CT (ASCP) (IAC), Danail Bonchev, PhD, Chao-Kun Cheng, PhD, Natasa Jovanovic-Vuskovic, BS
Affiliations
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Society of Cytopathology
- California Association of Cytotechnologists
Languages
Serbian
Native or Bilingual
Croatian
Full Professional
Macedonian
Limited Working
German
Elementary
Greek
Elementary
Interests
- A long-time songwriter, composer and producer
- Avid hiker and outdoors explorer
- Dedicated volunteer in educating young people about the cytology as a career path
Timeline
Casual Cytotechnologist
LabCorp Inc.
07.2023 - Current
Cytology General Supervisor
Epic Sciences
04.2023 - 10.2023
Single Cell Isolation Lab Supervisor
Epic Sciences
07.2022 - 02.2025
Cytotechnologist
Epic Sciences
04.2022 - 04.2023
Cytotechnologist
PathMD
09.2021 - 04.2023
Cytotechnologist
Quest Diagnostics
11.2019 - 07.2022
Student mentor
Quest Diagnostics
11.2019 - 07.2022
Consultant
CONICK Biotech LLC
06.2019 - 10.2019
On-Call Grossing Technician
LabCorp
01.2010 - 12.2011
Cytotechnologist
LabCorp Inc.
04.2007 - 11.2019
Adjunct Instructor
Old Dominion University
01.2006 - 02.2007
Student Assistant
Old Dominion University
09.2002 - 06.2003
Grossing Technician
General Hospital Pathologists (Sentara VB General Hospital)
02.1997 - 07.2001
Office Manager
Alma Quattro Ltd.
02.1997 - 07.2001
B.S. - Health Sciences – Cytotechnology Track
Old Dominion University
Forensic Sciences -
National University
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