340B Health
Summary
Cytotechnologists within the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center 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 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
To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
Education-Transcript Submitted
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
Licensure-Documentation Submitted
Full - current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - or the District of Columbia
The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
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--Documentation Submitted
Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
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
Grandfathering Provision
All cytotechnologists employed in VHA - in this occupational series - performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned - promoted up to and including 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 the 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
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement
Cytotechnologist - GS-11Experience
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
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: 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
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
Preferred Experience: Prior Cytotechnology experience
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties
Cytotechnologists are 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
Also responsible for sample preparation and processing.The duties and responsibilities of a Cytotechnologist include but are not limited to the following: The cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation - slide fixation - cell block preparation - monolayer filtration processing - and staining
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
Prioritizes workflow/specimen triage - prepares - and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistechemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of the regulatory agencies
Accession specimens - determining adequacy and quality of specimens prior to recording the data in appropriate log books and/or computer
Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunocytochemistry testing - as well as filtration methods - preparation - fixation - and staining of slides
Selects appropriate procedures and prepares specimens to ensure high quality preservation and morphology
Instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples 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
Provides on-call assistance to radiologists or physicians during fine needle aspirations
Prepares slides and uses both conventional and special rapid processing methods
Develops improved procedures using experience and a variety of references
Screens from 80 to 100 slides per day identifying cells and marking abnormal cells for the pathologists
Suggests diagnosis and consults with the pathologist or unusual cases
Unsatisfactory and negative cases will be reviewed and supervised by the pathologist - who is ultimately responsible for the electronic signing out and release of all cytology reports in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies
Review cases with staff physicians - dental and medical residents
Teaches medical students and others who are interested
Participates in QMPI activities by maintaining a file of cytology results to compare with the histopathology findings - diagnosis and correlates results
Participates in the QA look-back and review of specimens
Correlates findings informs the pathologist and maintains data files
Cross-trains Histopathology technicians in the preparation of slides
Performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures
Prepares solutions and reagents used for processing and staining
Independently performs or 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
Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm - Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 30707FRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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
To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
Education-Transcript Submitted
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
Licensure-Documentation Submitted
Full - current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - or the District of Columbia
The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
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--Documentation Submitted
Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
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
Grandfathering Provision
All cytotechnologists employed in VHA - in this occupational series - performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned - promoted up to and including 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 the 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
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement
Cytotechnologist - GS-11Experience
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
Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: 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
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
Preferred Experience: Prior Cytotechnology experience
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties
Cytotechnologists are 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
Also responsible for sample preparation and processing.The duties and responsibilities of a Cytotechnologist include but are not limited to the following: The cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation - slide fixation - cell block preparation - monolayer filtration processing - and staining
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
Prioritizes workflow/specimen triage - prepares - and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistechemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of the regulatory agencies
Accession specimens - determining adequacy and quality of specimens prior to recording the data in appropriate log books and/or computer
Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunocytochemistry testing - as well as filtration methods - preparation - fixation - and staining of slides
Selects appropriate procedures and prepares specimens to ensure high quality preservation and morphology
Instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples 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
Provides on-call assistance to radiologists or physicians during fine needle aspirations
Prepares slides and uses both conventional and special rapid processing methods
Develops improved procedures using experience and a variety of references
Screens from 80 to 100 slides per day identifying cells and marking abnormal cells for the pathologists
Suggests diagnosis and consults with the pathologist or unusual cases
Unsatisfactory and negative cases will be reviewed and supervised by the pathologist - who is ultimately responsible for the electronic signing out and release of all cytology reports in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies
Review cases with staff physicians - dental and medical residents
Teaches medical students and others who are interested
Participates in QMPI activities by maintaining a file of cytology results to compare with the histopathology findings - diagnosis and correlates results
Participates in the QA look-back and review of specimens
Correlates findings informs the pathologist and maintains data files
Cross-trains Histopathology technicians in the preparation of slides
Performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures
Prepares solutions and reagents used for processing and staining
Independently performs or 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
Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm - Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 30707FRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr