Cytotechnologist

Summary

Perform highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis - treatment - or prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology. The location of the position is Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service - VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) - Dallas - Bonham - and Fort Worth - Texas.

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: Completion of a Cytotechnology training program
Possess certification as a Cytotechnologist (CT) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) both from ASCP
Familiar with day-to-day workflow of Anatomic Pathology
At least one year creditable experience
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.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation - slide fixation - cell block preparation - monolayer filtration processing - and staining
Troubleshoot and take corrective action when a discrepancy is identified
Acts as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes and procedures in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
Perform a full range of specialized tasks - including collecting - compiling - and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program
- Use laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives
Research - test - validate - and implement new procedures and equipment
Applies new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing
Report the microscopic interpretation of normal pap smear tests used to detect cervical cancer
Provide preliminary interpretation of specimens from other body sites Collaborate with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes - precancerous lesions - and malignant diseases
Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
Participates in proficiency testing
Performs validation studies on new equipment and test procedures
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8-hour shift during lab hours 6:00 am - 5:30 pm - Rotating Holidays and Weekends Telework: No Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 55157-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized