Cytotechnologist

Summary The pathology laboratory provides specialized diagnostic services to patients admitted to the VA Medical Centers located at Perry Point, Baltimore, Martinsburg, GRECC and CBOC locations. The cytology section provides diagnostic interpretation of human disease including rapid on-site evaluation in the endoscopy/bronchoscopy suite, interventional radiology and for the endocrine clinic, gynecological pap smear results, and participates in departmental research. Learn more about this agency Duties Major Duties may include: Reads all medical and gynecological material submitted for cytology from the following VAMHCS facilities: Baltimore, Perry Point and all CBOCs. Provide systematic examination of all material on the slide. Abnormal material marked for the Pathologist review. Written diagnostic interpretation given on all specimens received for processing at the Baltimore laboratory. Responsible for independently reading and providing diagnostic evaluation on all the pap smears. Supply the "Cytyc Thin Prep Pap Test" kit to the gynecology clinics within the above mentioned facilities and work in conjunction with the clinicians to train all users. Responsible for training all hospital services to the proper fixation and technique to use the cytolyt solutions for thin prep processing using the Cytyc. All specimens are processed using the Cytyc Processor. Carefully monitors the processing and quality of preparations to ensure optimum slides for diagnostic interpretation. Maintains familiarity with current literature in Anatomic Pathology as regards processing and diagnostic evaluation. Modifications in processing and advances in cytology and histology provide the veteran patient with the best in quality and diagnosis in expeditious time, and reasonable cost to the hospital. Responsible for performing a variety of procedures, including analyses; updating procedural manuals; monitoring the equipment and its accuracy; setting up and monitoring quality controls on equipment and on the diagnostic interpretation, and preparation on all slides read and processes in the Baltimore Laboratory. Supervises preparation of reagents, assembles equipment, process specimens using the thin prep processor, control physical conditions to respond to the time factor to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Participates in continuing education and Cytopathology conference with staff Pathologists to review and discuss inconclusive sign outs. Recommendation for further evaluation is made at this time. Assists Cytology supervisor in reviewing Standard Operating Procedure Manuals to improve quality, accuracy or improve patient care and to be in compliance with accrediting agency and JCAHO. Independently determines specimen adequacy where rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchial, pulmonary, lymph node, gastric, pancreatic and/or soft tissue masses are being performed. Available to assist residents in orientation to VA methodology; i.e., locating keys, accessing supplies, proper use of equipment, securing the work area. Responsible for coordinating the quality assurance/quality control programs for cytology: 1. Collect QA assurance paper daily on the quality and timeliness of stains and filing; 2. Monitor the initialing and filing out of designated QA sheets throughout the cytology area and within the rapid on-site evaluation set-up; 3. Review the written statistics and compare to the monthly computer print-out for AMIS validating and reorganizing when needed. 4. Check maintenance sheets quarterly for accuracy and completion; 5. Serves as technical specialist to handle any problems that occur between VA facilities that are cytology related to transportation, specimen fixation resulting, grossing, or procedural decisions. Assists with the release of slides and blocks from this hospital to other medical and treating facilities. Assist in completing necessary paperwork with attorneys that represent the patients or patient's family. Communicates with the Office of Regional Council to preserve and protect patients confidentially and legal rights to material held here at the VA Medical Center. The purpose of contact is to plan or coordinate work efforts to resolve operating problems by influencing or motivating individuals or groups. Works toward mutual goals, cooperative attitudes, and shows team effort to carrying out the VA mission. Coordinate work efforts or resolve operating problems concerning equipment or test methods. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 512-26272-F Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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 inconventional U.S. programs. Certification: (1)Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. (2)Loss of Certification. An employee who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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. Examples of creditable experience are: Ability to review clinical data of patients, relate data to microscopic findings, and evaluate 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. Ability to make a preliminary cyto-diagnosis to issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cyto-diagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processing. Knowledge of the standards of regulatory agencies, such as those of Joint Commission (JC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure compliance with requirements and guidelines. Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures. Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv: Cytotechnologist, GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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: A minimum of one year of cytology 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. 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/. Additional information "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.