Cytotechnologist

Summary

The Cytotechnologist is part of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service within the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

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
Education: Individuals must have success 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 of 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
English Proficiency: Cytotechnologist must be proficient in spoken and written English
See 38 U.S.C.
7403(f)
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)
Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned - promoted up to and include the full performance level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
Cytotechnologists appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended - or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
Cytotechnologists initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
Cytotechnologists who were retained in this occupation - under this provision - and subsequently leave the occupation - lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
And - Grade Determinations: Cytotechnolgist GS-11: Experience
The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-09) 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 255 of the time
At the advanced lee - 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
Cytotechnologists 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 this 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 (KSAs)
In additional to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i
- iv and the advanced KSA(s) 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
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 requirements are those physical - mental and emotional capabilities and characteristics that are essential for successful job performance
Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position and documented in the position description or functional statement - and supported by a studies or evaluations establishing physical requirements is job-related to the occupations
An applicant or employee may not be disqualified arbitrarily on the basis of physical requirements or other criteria that do not relate specifically to performance of the duties of a specific position.

Duties

Functions or Scope of assigned duties of Cytotechnologist are but limited to the following: Diagnostic Duties (35%): Perform highly complex testing on cellular material from all human body sites
Microscopically examines prepared cytological specimens and renders diagnoses
Recognizes normal and abnormal cytology - including but not limited to - malignant neoplasms - precancerous lesions - infectious agents and inflammatory processes in gynecologic - non-gynecologic and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens
Detects - selects and clearly marks the cells most representative of the pathological process
Develops differential diagnoses based on cellular evidence in conjunction with pertinent cognitive knowledge - clinical data - histological correlative material - review of previous patient material and knowledge of the various modes of treatment and their effect on the cytological interpretation
Independently screens and evaluates gynecologic cytologic specimens (Pap smears) for evidence of infection - precancerous changes of malignancy
Determines which Pap smears are within normal limits - separating them from those that show possible abnormalities and require pathologist review
Issues final pathologic report on negative Pap smears under his/her own name - with sole responsibility for the diagnosis
Formulates a provisional diagnosis on all atypical gynecologic cytology specimens and on all non-gynecologic specimens and forwards them to the attending pathologist for review
Functions as attending pathologist's assistant in FNA/core biopsy procedures in special radiologic procedures and clinics
In addition - independently prepares FNA specimens on-site - stains and microscopically examines to determine adequacy of cytological interpretation
Gid the clinician in obtaining further samples - if needed
Determines appropriate triage of procure FNA specimens for further diagnostic studies
Lab Oversight (25%): Together with the Anatomic Pathology Supervisor - develops - implements - and monitors the lab's Quality Control/Assurance Program (QC/A) to provide improved Veteran care
Monitors workload and productivity and recommend improvements where needed
Recognizes and reacts to indicators of abnormal findings or aberrant results
Determines - plans and implements new procedures and technologies to achieve and maintain a state-of-the-art cytopathology laboratory
Responsible for establishing - validating - and writing procedures for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual for newly procured tests and instruments to further improve cytopathology service to the Veterans
Instructs cytopathology/anatomic pathology staff on processing of cytologic specimens - emphasizing proper patient safety issues - workflow and equipment operations
When changes in specimen collection/processing and diagnostic classification occur - actively participates in medical staff meetings and conferences to provide providers with current information and ensure continued quality Veteran care
Responsible for preparation for accreditation inspections and correction of identified deficiencies of the lab
Attends and participates in various department meetings for the improvement of inter and intradepartmental relations and the maintenance of optimal Veteran care
Monitors resources used in lab in terms of supplies - stock levels and re-order points
maintains good inventory and ordering practices
reviews budget reports and makes recommendations for cost containment - when necessary.
Technical Duties (20%): Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for processing and request new specimens - if specimen is determined unusable
Has experience and knowledge in processing and preparation of specimens for cytopathology testing while controlling physical conditions and complying with time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained
Acknowledges technical limitations and various possibilities for procedural errors in Cyto-preparation and takes corrective action
Develops procedures for new testing methods to include new molecular diagnostics technology
Establishes standards and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment
Obtains the necessary approval to implement new techniques or practices in the local laboratory
Prepares professional implementation plan - including test and evaluation of the technique in meeting stated objectives
Develop quality control measures for implementation
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 93529-0 Recruitment Incentives: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.