Career Center

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Cytotechnologists 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)
• Grade Determinations: Cytotechnologist (Supervisory) - GS-12 Experience
• The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled which includes but not limited to: 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills - including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to effectively interact with employees - team leaders - and managers
• Ability to plan - organize - set short and/or long term goals - and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems - including personnel shortages - organizational structure - and new technology
• Skill in communicating management goals with individuals to obtain the desired effect - while ensuring compliance with established policies and regulations
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties - which includes responsibility for assignment of work - performance evaluations - maintenance of staff competencies - selection of staff - recommendation of awards - advancements - and disciplinary actions - as appropriate
• Knowledge of federal and state laws - regulations - and accrediting/regulatory requirements to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff - including annual CLIA proficiency testing
• Ability to rescreen previously screened negative cases - including those designated as "high risk" cases - before the diagnostic interpretation is released from the cytopathology laboratory
• Preferred Experience: 3 years experience in working at Cytotechnologist is preferred
• 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 Physical Requirements: The work includes walking and/or standing - carrying of light items such as manuals - supplies - and small instruments
• The maximum amount of lifting is 50 lbs
• Bending - standing - squatting and sitting can be expected.

Duties

• Duties Include but are not limited to: The incumbent performs highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing for diagnosis - treatment - and prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology
• The incumbent will provide administrative guidance to Surgical Pathology - Cytopathology - Autopsy - and Histopathology
• The incumbent directly supervises Cytopathology section staff
• The incumbent performs administrative supervision of histopathology staff and works with the Pathologist to address histopathology technical requirements
• Develops - maintains - and updates procedure manuals
• Designs forms as necessary to comply with regulatory agency and laboratory needs
• Provides assistance with record keeping system including statistical analysis for Anatomic Pathology and monitors workload recording system
• Ensures all equipment is in excellent condition - maintains appropriate supplies - monitors quality control data and makes recommendations to the Laboratory Manager and Chief - P&LMS regarding the acquisition of equipment
• Coordinates and maintains documentation for staff pathologists on all external proficiency testing relating to cytopathology and surgical pathology
• Responsible for performance of a broad range of testing on patient specimens including surgical specimens - autopsy - gynecological - aspiration biopsy material - blood - urine - sputum - body fluids - CSF - scrapings - and washings
• Coordinates collection and interpretation of data for Anatomic Pathology QA programs - serves on the QM committee - directs and implements quality improvement initiatives approved by the committee
• Provides assistance with record keeping system including statistical analysis for Anatomic Pathology and monitors workload recording system
• 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
• Incumbent may act as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures
• Incumbent will research - test - validate - and implement new procedures and equipment
• Performs a full range of specialized tasks - including collecting - compiling - and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - w/rotating weekends/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Rodney Belk - Rodney.Belk@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized