This is an OPEN AND CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until February 20 , 2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. 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. 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. ( Transcripts must be submitted) 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. ( Foreign evaluation must be submitted) Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification ( Certification must be submitted) Grade Determinations: GS-11: 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: i. Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. ii. 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. iii. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. iv. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. v. **Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope. Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings. vi. ***Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as CAP, JC, and OSHA, and to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation. vii. ****Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of experience as Cytotechnologist is preferred. 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: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents and performing repetitive motions to complete tasks. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care. ["Assignments require the advanced knowledge of the theories, principles, technical practices and detailed cellular structures specific to all areas of cytotechnology (includes gynecological and non-gynecological specimens). Knowledge of medical and pathological processes to triage specimens to appropriate ancillary diagnostic tests such as flow cytometry, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, based upon minimal information and without written guidance. Incorporate new molecular technologies such as DNA testing for viruses, cytogenetic analysis of tumors, molecular markers of disease. The cytotechnologist is an integral part of the health care team and is directly involved in patient care through diagnostic assistance during costly procedures (CT scan, bronchoscopy, aspiration biopsy). Cytotechnologists must incorporate medical knowledge of pathologic entities into diagnosis evaluation and specimen triage. Since interpretive errors can result in medical mismanagement, and are the major cause of pathology litigation, the degree of personal responsibility in this position is high. Professional knowledge of cytotechnology concepts, principles, and methodologies sufficient to develop and establish procedures for cytological determinations is required to perform the more difficult and infrequent procedures, as well as to evaluate, modify, and implement new methods. Knowledge to perform screening and processing, as well as citing recommendations for more specific diagnostic testing. Maintain a thorough understanding of the ultrastructural characteristics of both normal and abnormal cells obtained from numerous body sites in order to differentiate between neoplastic (benign and malignant) and non-neoplastic disease processes. Independent judgment is essential in deciding which cases are within normal limits as opposed to those cases which require further interpretation. Consistency in judgment in the development of a differential diagnosis by the use of observation, application, analysis and synthesis is crucial. Knowledge of special staining procedures, applications, and interpretation. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the standard state-of-the-art methods of collection and preparation of specimens for all types of cytological evaluation. Knowledge of CAP and Joint Commission standards to maintain accreditation, medico legal responsibilities, federal and state laws and regulations sufficient to ensure that cytology plans and procedures are consistent with those requirements. Knowledge of immunopathologic principles and methodologies. Knowledge of medical terminology sufficient to communicate in an organized, articulate, and accurate manner to the medical staff. Knowledge of quality control systems, corrective actions, inspection and accreditation, proficiency testing programs, and procedures for preventive maintenance and 2 performance testing of instruments and equipment sufficient to identify and resolve problems and assure compliance with appropriate requirements. Knowledge of the types of surveillance needed to monitor variables that affect quality of services and skills in evaluating, interpreting, and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implementing corrective actions where indicated. Mastery of cytopathology principles, concepts, and methods to apply new scientific/technological developments and theories to major problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods and/or take actions or make recommendations which have significant impact on existing agency/national policies and programs. Typically the cytotechnologist is recognized as a technical authority in a particular discipline or function. Knowledge & skill sufficient to evaluate and approve clinical laboratories for CAP accreditation throughout a multistate region. Assignments require expert knowledge of all aspects of laboratory practice as well as statutory requirements and published rule & regulations to plan and conduct the surveys of laboratories; assure compliance of CAP and Joint Commission standards; develop & recommend regulations, criteria, and standards for laboratory certification; provide technical assistance to other laboratories, professional organizations, & others in developing laboratory/surveyor improvement programs, providing training, modifying guidelines/procedures to make them compatible with Federal requirements, etc.; provide authoritative advice and consultation on the interpretation and application of Medicare/Medicaid standards for medical laboratory services & other cytopathology related issues; & collaborate with other regions and programs of the agency in developing national guideline materials. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70649F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
