Cytotechnologist

Summary

This position is located at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center - Charleston - SC - Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service.

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:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
  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 experiences include independently reviewing clinical data of patients and evaluating all cytology preparations by light microscopy for patterns, microorganisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents
• The cytotechnologist issues and verifies the final diagnosis for negative gynecologic specimens
• The cytotechnologist prioritizes, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistochemical testing in compliance with regulatory guidelines
• The cytotechnologist instructs others on proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples for processing
• The cytotechnologist performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures
• Advanced assignments may also include one or more of the tasks identified below
• When these duties are required - the Advanced Cytotechnologist must also demonstrate the corresponding advanced KSAs as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) below
• KSAs include:
  Electron Microscopy, Safety Coordination, Laboratory Education, Automated Data Processing Applications Coordination
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities including independent specimen adequacy determination for complex testing, knowledge of laboratory quality management, data analysis for quality assurance, and ability to research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment
• Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope
• Knowledge of microanatomy to note ultra structural and microchemical findings
• Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and ensure staff compliance with CAP, JC, and OSHA requirements, including continuing education and 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

• The incumbent performs a broad range of highly complex testing and procedures for the pathological diagnosis of various disease conditions from cellular samples of the human body
• This involves the performance of highly specialized work requiring theoretical knowledge, scientific competence, and unusual professional judgement
• The position requires responsibility for the examination of a wide range of patient samples submitted for evaluation regarding the presence/absence of benign and malignant conditions
• Duties include - but are not limited to the following:
  Independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation,…