Cytotechnologist

Summary

The incumbent occupies the position of Cytotechnologist of the Anatomic Pathology Section, which involves the performance of highly specialized work requiring theoretical knowledge, scientific competence and unusual professional judgment. The position requires responsibility for the examination of a wide range of patient samples submitted for evaluation regarding the presence/absence of benign and malignant conditions.

Duties

TECHNICAL -- Evaluates the quality and adequacy of all patient samples before accepting and logging them into the section. Prepares and stains cytology slides for all GYN & non-GYN specimens. Evaluates the quality of all cytology preparations by light microscopy. Makes preliminary diagnoses independently of the pathologist. Makes diagnoses using wide range of knowledge of the human body and pathologic processes, including normal/abnormal cellular patterns, inflammatory reactions, presence of micro-organisms, benign changes, premalignant conditions, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Makes diagnoses using clinical history provided and/or consults clinician using experience and knowledge in order to collect significant information necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Uses extensive knowledge of cellular morphology for all specimens which include cervical/vaginal (gynecologic), GI, GU, respiratory, body cavity and cyst fluids, CSF specimens, fine needle aspiration biopsies of all organs (liver, pancreas, adrenal, lymph node, kidney, lung, breast, head and neck). ADMINISTRATIVE -- Responsible for assisting the Histopathology supervisor in implementing and maintaining all regulatory quality control and quality assurance functions related to cytology. Reviews and updates the General Cytology Manual according to all applicable VAH and federal regulatory agency requirements or recommendations. Works closely with the pathologists, and reports to the Chief, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. Provides forms for and documents daily, quarterly, and annual quality control and quality assurance records. Compiles quarterly statistics as per regulation. Monitors and updates cyto-preparatory charts, procedures, and safety compliance documents. Complies with the guidelines of the hospital, CLIA, CAP, and VA regulatory agencies. Responsible for collecting, researching and reporting acceptable cases for proficiency testing purposes. These cases are sent to VA and CAP offices for acceptance and distribution. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56459-F 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. 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: Cytotechnologist 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the advanced level, the cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining. If a discrepancy is identified with these processes, the cytotechnologist will troubleshoot and take corrective action. The cytotechnologist may act as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures. The cytotechnologist performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program. The cytotechnologist uses these laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (all must be fully demonstrated in your resume): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv. and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s): Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. Knowledge of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes to establish and monitor the overall laboratory quality management and quality control program, and initiate corrective action as needed. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. Preferred Experience: PE 1. 5 years of experience reading Thin-Prep paps PE 2. 5 years of experience with FNA slide prep and assessment PE 3. 5 years of experience reading non-gyns PE 4. 5 years of experience writing policy and procedures for accreditation compliance PE 5. 3 years of experience operating PAP processors (Hologic) PE. 6. 3 years experience with Quality Control, Record Keeping, Troubleshooting, and Compliance Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is Gs-11. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has ch