Lead Cytotechnologist

Summary
This position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory department at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. Cytotechnologists are certified laboratory professionals performing highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis - treatment - or prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology.
Qualifications
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
TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE UPLOADED
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 UPLOADED
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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-9) that is directly related to the position to be filled
Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: At the journey level - the cytotechnologist independently 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
The cytotechnologist issues and verifies the final diagnosis for negative gynecologic specimens
The cytotechnologist prioritizes - prepares - and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistochemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies
The cytotechnologist instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples for processing
The cytotechnologist performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures
In addition to the specialized experience - you must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs): Skill in researching - testing - validating - and implementing new procedures and equipment
Ability to monitor abnormal test results - which includes notification to the physician when necessary - and to complete documentation in accordance with CAP requirements
Ability to lead others - monitor and make work assignments - balance workload - and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner
This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work
Knowledge of laboratory requirements to develop - maintain - and issue written instructions and standard operating procedures - including the design of forms that comply with regulatory agencies
Preferred Experience: Demonstrate broad and in-depth experience with dissection and grossing of surgical pathology specimens
Currently working in Clinical Anatomic Pathology laboratory and actively involved Surgical Pathology gross room operations
Ability to handle all types of human tissue and perform all elements of gross tissue examinations and prosecution of all types of anatomic pathology specimens
Ability to prepare frozen section sections for intraoperative consultation and ancillary studies
Ability to plan - organize - set priorities - work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
Ability to read - interpret and apply complex written instructions
Skilled in informatics - laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes
Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
Ability to modify or adapt established methods - procedures - or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems
Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements
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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Responsible for oversight of operations of the gross room and frozen section rooms with the ability to perform all elements of gross tissue examinations and prosection of all types of anatomic pathology specimens
Cytotechnologists are solely responsible for: reporting the microscopic interpretation of normal pap smear tests used to detect cervical cancer
providing preliminary interpretation of specimens from other body sites
and collaborating with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes - precancerous lesions - and malignant diseases
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
Performs a full range of specialized tasks - including collecting - compiling - and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program
Uses laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives
Required to research - test - validate - and implement new procedures and equipment
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm Telework: Not Avalible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized