This position is in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the Salisbury VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology. The incumbent will provide cytology support to Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, Autopsy, and Histopathology.

Duties

Performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining Acts as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures Performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program Researches, tests, validates, and implements new procedures and equipment Responsible for performance of a broad range of testing on patient specimens including surgical specimens, autopsy, gynecological, aspiration biopsy material, blood, urine, sputum, body fluids, CSF, scrapings, and washings Participates in the fine needle aspiration biopsy service daily, including rapid on-site assessments to evaluate for specimen adequacy Independently perform ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation) Possesses a wide latitude for exercising independent judgement Develops and implements the use of protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results and monitors conformity to protocols Regularly retrieves and evaluates patient data to assess relevant cytopathology parameters (e.g. cytology- histology correlations, ASCUS/SIL ratios, lookback data) Participates in proficiency testing programs for Anatomic Pathology and Surgical Pathology (e.g. Pap PT, ASCP Check Sample Program, CAP surveys) Develops, maintains, and updates procedure manuals Designs forms as necessary to comply with regulatory agency and laboratory needs Provides assistance with record keeping system including statistical analysis for Anatomic Pathology and monitors workload recording system Coordinates and maintains documentation for staff pathologists on all external proficiency testing relating to cytopathology and surgical pathology Ensures patient materials are provided in a timely fashion for internal and external customers (e.g., pathology case conferences, external facility requests, samples to be tested at reference labs) Work Schedule: Day Shift Functional Statement #: 659-1370FA Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized, if applicable Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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. (1) Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. (2) Loss 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determination: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. (b) 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. (c) Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. (d) Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. (e) Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope. Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings. (f) 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. (g) Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. (h) Skill to maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. References: VA Handbook 5005/126 PART II APPENDIX G61 II

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 WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Reginald Young
• Phone: 704-638-9000
• Email: [email protected]