Cytotechnologist

Full Job Description

The location of the position is Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, Bonham, and Fort Worth, Texas.

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 And 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. Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope.

Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings.

Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as CAP, JC, and OSHA, and to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation.

Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards.

Skill to maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation. 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.

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. Major 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.

Specialized Procedures: Provides cytopathology specimen collection and preparation obtained by invasive procedures such as: CT-guided or ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations/ touch preparations of core biopsies or endoscopic brushings in clinic locations and operating room.

Evaluates materials collected to provide specimen adequacy.

Laboratory Procedures/Reporting Findings: The cytotechnologist, in accordance with established guidelines as set forth by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as CT(ASCP) evaluates GYN and Non-GYN cytologic material.

Performs and provides guidance to cytopreparatory technicians in the processing of a variety of cytological specimens. Recognizes and defines testing problems and evaluates methods for solution.

The incumbent evaluates guides or implements possible alternative approaches to standard methods.

Independent of the pathologist, the incumbent releases final negative GYN cytopathology reports to the patient medical record.

Maintains Professional Proficiency: Maintains professional status through continued education, professional training and networking.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:00 am - 5:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 55457-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized