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

Duties

This position is located at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. The Cytotechnologist 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. Major duties include but are not limited to: 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. Diagnoses using a wide range of knowledge of the human body and pathologic processes, including normal/abnormal cellular patterns, inflammatory reactions, presence of microorganisms, benign changes, premalignant conditions, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Makes diagnoses using clinical history provided and/or consults clinician using experience and knowledge in order to collect significant information necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Uses extensive knowledge of cellular morphology for all specimens which include cervical/vaginal (gynecologic), GI, GU, respiratory, body cavity and cyst fluids, CSF specimens, fine needle aspiration biopsies of all organs (liver, pancreas, adrenal, lymph node, kidney, lung, breast, head and neck). Monitors stain quality, preparation techniques, and workflow daily. Ensures that cytology turn around-time metrics are always maintained. Attends fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy procedures throughout the medical center in order to collect, handle, prepare and triage the specimen and render preliminary diagnoses of adequacy (Radiology, Urology, ENT, Oral Surgery, Operating Room, Medical bed services, etc.). Prepares and stain 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, if present) about patient clinical history and the need for further specimen sampling or additional ancillary tests. Travels or communicate to other departments, as necessary, to advise physicians on proper differential diagnosis, makes independent professional decisions on methods of collection and handling of samples and on the need for repeat of the procedure, if deemed necessary. Reviews cases with clinicians (attending), pathologist, and residents daily. Responsible for assisting the Anatomic Pathology supervisor in implementing and maintaining all regulatory quality control and quality assurance functions related to cytology. Reviews and update the General Cytology Manual according to all applicable VHA and federal regulatory agency requirements or recommendations. Trains and orient 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 on a regular basis. Works closely with the pathologist to develop deadlines and objectives and to review all problem cases. Comply with applicable CLIA regulations regarding slides reviewed, prorated to other work performed. Prepares and preview 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. Subscribe to and abides by the Code of Ethics for Cytotechnologists developed by the ASCT. Works closely with the lab administrator and 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, CLIA, CAP, TJC and VA regulatory agencies. Responsible for collecting, researching, and reporting acceptable cases for proficiency testing purposes Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: F50190 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for appointment as a cytotechnologist, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part.) 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: (1) Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. Grade Determinations: Cytotechnologist, GS-11 Experience: The candidate must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being 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. NOTE: 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 in KSA Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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): I. Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. ii. 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. iii. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. iv. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. Preferred Experience: One (1) year experience as a Cytotechnologist. References: VA Handbook 5005/126 Part II Appendix G61 dated November 25, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as prolonged standing, bending - such as over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting items such as centrifuges and wrist strain due to prolonged use of PC keyboards. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities, such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability and ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Seve Irby
• Phone: (813) 614 -7811
• Email: [email protected]