Cytotechnologist

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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy 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 Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board 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 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 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation Grade Determinations: (a) 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 (b) Assignments - For all assignments above the journey level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time Advanced Level Duties - The cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing and staining 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 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is 09 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 11 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Responsibilities Evaluates the quality and adequacy of all patient samples before accepting and logging them into the section Prepares and stains cytology slides for all GYN and non-GYN specimens Evaluates the quality of all cytology preparations by light microscopy Makes preliminary diagnoses independently of the pathologist Makes diagnoses using a wide range of knowledge of the human body and pathologic processes Uses extensive knowledge of cellular morphology for all specimen types including cervical/vaginal, GI, GU, respiratory, body cavity and cyst fluids, CSF specimens, and fine needle aspiration biopsies of all organs Monitors stain quality, preparation techniques, and workflow daily Ensures that cytology turnaround-time metrics are always maintained Attends fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy procedures throughout the medical center to collect, handle, prepare and triage the specimen and render preliminary diagnoses of adequacy Prepares and stains FNA smears for the purpose of rendering an adequacy reading, preliminary diagnosis and specimen triage Decides how the FNA specimen should be handled (fixed, unfixed, etc.) for further evaluation Consults with the pathologist and clinician when necessary about patient clinical history and the need for further specimen sampling or additional ancillary tests Travels or communicates to other departments as necessary to advise physicians on proper differential diagnosis Reviews cases with clinicians, pathologist, and residents daily Assists the Anatomic Pathology supervisor in implementing and maintaining all regulatory quality control and quality assurance functions related to cytology Reviews and updates the General Cytology Manual according to applicable VHA and federal regulatory agency requirements Trains and orients additional support staff, cytotechnologists, residents, and other new employees within cytology Participates in VA and CAP proficiency programs Attends in-house cytology-histology correlation conferences regularly Attends in-house and outside lectures, conferences, teleconferences, and/or meetings Updates and adds to continuing education credits regularly Acquires knowledge of current cytology and histology literature to adapt and initiate current standards into the cytology department Works closely with the pathologist to develop deadlines and objectives and to review all problem cases Complies with applicable CUA regulations regarding slides reviewed, prorated to other work performed Prepares and previews case reports for review by the pathologist and may release, fax, and file case reports when routine secretarial help is not available Maintains cytology case slide and requisition files in compliance with mandated guidelines Subscribes to and abides by the Code of Ethics for Cytotechnologists developed by the ASCT Works closely with the lab administrator, pathologists, and reports to the Supervisor of the Anatomic Pathology section Provides forms for and documents daily, quarterly, and annual quality control and quality assurance records Compiles quarterly statistics as per regulation Monitors and updates cyto-preparatory charts, procedures, and safety compliance documents Complies with the guidelines of the hospital, CUA, CAP, TJC, and VA regulatory agencies Collects, researches, and reports acceptable cases for proficiency testing purposes These cases are sent to VA and CAP offices for acceptance and distribution Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm (Telework: Not Available) Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 57398F – Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr