This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System located Bay Pines, Florida. The Cytotechnologists are certified laboratory professionals performing highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology.

Duties

The Quality Management Cytotechnologist provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services to all levels of management throughout the organization. The cytotechnologist maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. 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. They use the laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment. They will monitor laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. They will interact with management officials and vendors, providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. The incumbent is responsible for a laboratory's continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies, such as Joint Commission (JC) and College of American Pathologist (CAP). Other duties include but are not limited to: Routine Cytology Functions Examine and evaluate cell samples for the presence of absence of normal / abnormal cellular patterns, presence of microorganisms, inflammatory changes, endocrinopathies, benign changes, premalignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular response to therapeutic agents. Prepare a variety of cytologic fixatives and staining solutions for stains. Process and prepare specimens for cyto-diagnostic and immunocytochemistry (ICC) procedures. Prepare smears and cell blocks of Immunocytochemistry. Determine the adequacy of such specimens and, if appropriate, recommends repletion of the procedure where specimen is considered non-representative. Aids in specimen collection and specimen slide preparation. Maintains and supports the Automated Data Processing (ADP) security program as outlined in VA facility and/or Service policy. Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots all equipment in the cytopathology laboratory. Maintains a safe, clean, and professional work area. Upholds laboratory security by ensuring compliance of outside vendors using vendor identification badges. Specialized Cytology Functions Provide authoritative advice and consultation on quality management cytopathology laboratory services. Maintains the cytopathology laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Analyzes, identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors, providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Responsible for a cytopathology laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies, such as JC and CAP. Participates in training of pathology residents, students, technicians, and volunteers. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:04379F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS 11 Cytotechnologist (Quality Management): 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. Experience includes independently reviewing clinical data of patients, evaluating all cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Issues and verifies the final diagnosis for negative gynecologic specimens. Prioritizes, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistochemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies. Instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples for processing. Performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the below KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, standards, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations, and skill in ensuring continuous readiness for inspections. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Ability to analyze quality assurance data and resolve complex data issues. Knowledge of anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, and ancillary testing. References: VA Handbook 5005/126 PART II APPENDIX G61 dated November 25, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 lbs. Straight pulling. pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands (grasping). Walking, frequent standing (i.e. up to 4 hours). Kneeling repeated bending and use of both arms and legs and repetitive motion. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes and depth perception. Ability to distinguish colors anti shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted). Clear high cognitive function and emotional stability. 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 CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Janice Lord
• Phone: 207-800-5649
• Email: [email protected]