Cytotechnologist

Summary

The Cytotechnologist of this facility position is assigned to the Cytopathology Section in the Pathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services at VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan Puerto Rico, under the supervision of the Supervisory Cytotechnologist/Anatomic Pathology Supervisor.

Duties

The cytotechnologist acts as a professional resource, troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifies suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The cytotechnologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for receiving, processing and preparing all specimens for cytologic diagnosis, special stains, immunocytochemistry, and molecular tests. Must possess enough knowledge to discriminate among many different Cytopreparatory techniques to obtain the most advantageous cytologic preparation in diverse specimens received, to render an adequate microscopic evaluation to provide an accurate cytologic diagnosis. Process and monitor each sample independently as required by the nature of the specimen, patient's clinical history and /or physician request. This includes the use of complex laboratory equipment including, but not limited to centrifuge, cytocentrifuge, liquid based cytology processor (Thin-prep), slide Stainer, automated cell block processor (Cellient), special stain/immunohistochemistry automated system and Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) equipment. Responsible for microscopic evaluation of all cytology specimens including but not limited to: oral cytology, head and neck cytology, respiratory cytology, gastrointestinal and urinary tract cytology, gynecologic cytology, central nervous system cytology, hematologic cytology, needle aspiration biopsies and tissue imprints/scraping from fresh specimens received for frozen section. Reviews clinical data of patients and microscopically evaluates gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign/reactive changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents, among others, and has the responsibility to render a preliminary cytologic diagnosis prior to the final evaluation by the pathologist. Attends fine needle aspiration procedures and assists the physician preparing the sample properly and provides rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for specimen adequacy assessment and/or preliminary cytologic findings. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:60991F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Cytotechnologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university and successfully completed a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredited cytotechnology program. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. Loss of Certification. An employee who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience: The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-9) that is directly related to the position to be filled. Experience includes: reviews clinical data of patients and evaluates all cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, pre-malignant changes neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents; issues and verifies the final diagnosis for negative gynecologic specimens; prioritizes, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistochemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies; instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples for processing, and performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to review clinical data of patients, relate data to microscopic findings, and evaluate all cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Ability to make a preliminary cytodiagnosis to issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processing. Knowledge of the standards of regulatory agencies, such as those of Joint Commission (JC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure compliance with requirements and guidelines. Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures. Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-11. Physical Requireme