This position is located at the North Las Vegas, Nevada of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) and is a component of the Anatomic Pathology Section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). 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

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: The Cytotechnologist has primary responsibility for the prescreening and microscopic interpretation of all cytologic specimens including, but not limited to sputum, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract washings and brushings, body fluids and cerebrospinal fluids, uterine, cervical, and vaginal smears, needle aspirations, tumors, and tissue imprints. In the case of negative gynecologic PAP samples, the incumbent is also responsible for case sign-out. The incumbent processes and prepares cytology specimens for cytodiagnosis, special stains and immunocytochemistry (ICC) procedures. He / she prepares, and fixes tissue smears and prepares cell blocks of submitted samples using a variety of laboratory processes and equipment such as centrifuges, cytocentrifuges, and filtration methods; prepares a variety of cytologic fixatives, processing, and staining solutions; employs staining processes including, but not limited to, Papanicolaou's stain; and labels slides in compliance with quality-control standards. Results of the work are used as a reference for patient screening, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic decisions, and monitoring. The Cytotechnologist is responsible for assisting in specialized, diagnostic techniques in cytopathology, such as fine needle aspiration biopsy which include ultrasound or interventional radiology biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided biopsy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided biopsy, which is widely used for early detection and treatment of cancer and for the diagnosis of opportunistic infections in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Attends fine-needle-aspiration, EBUS, EUS, Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures independently, to ensure adequacy of specimen collection, and or assists an on-site pathologist in the same. Accessions specimens and determines adequacy and quality of each specimen prior to result reporting. The Cytotechnologist often works independently under the supervision of the anatomic pathology department supervisor, modifies existing procedures as appropriate, identifies parameters and determines acceptable range for each parameter and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of the supervisor or staff pathologists or when working collaboratively with another laboratory practitioner (Medical Technologist/s). Conveys information as necessary to those directly responsible for patient care, i.e., engineer's proper collection methods, transportation of specimens, and interpretation of reports. Recognizes technical limitations and various possibilities for procedural errors in cytology preparation. Examines and evaluates cell samples for the presence or absence of normal / abnormal cellular patterns, presence of microorganisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, premalignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Reviews clinical data of patients relating data to microscopic findings and makes a primary cytodiagnosis. Issues a preliminary report using standard cytopathologic / histopathologic terminology. Maintains and supports the Automated Data Processing (ADP) security program as outlined in V.A. facility and/or Service policy. Responsible for maintaining physical, software, data, and application security. Logs specimen acquisitions. Maintains appropriate records, statistical data, and cross-referenced indexes. Organizes and maintains slide and report files, including those for teaching purposes. Develops and maintains procedural manuals in a manner which fulfills the requirements of the VA Medical Center, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JC). This includes correlation with, and actual clinical and histologic dates and retrospective review of, previous specimens. Develops and implements new methods and procedures. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area to include providing recommendations and better means to engage in and meet laboratory cytology accreditation requirements, recommending new/replacement instrumentation, and designing work flow to as a methodology to document compliance. Analyzes emerging trends and technology specific to cytology as part of improved quality control procedures. Evaluates new quality control protocols to determine their suitability for local use. Orders supplies and equipment. Inventories and maintains a working stock of chemicals, reagents, stains, and other supplies necessary for the operational requirements. Provides support in the education and training of pathology residents, students, technicians, and volunteers in cytology department processes and procedures. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm varies Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 03348-F. Financial Disclosure Report: Not require

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: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Cytotechnologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. 3. 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. 4. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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: CYTOTECHNOLOGIST (ADVANCED LEVEL), 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 (KSAs): 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. v. **Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope. Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings. vi. ***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. vii. ****Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. viii.*****Skill to maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation. References: VA Handbook 5005/126, PART II, APPENDIX G61 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary and standing while performing testing. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as instruments, reagents, papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Rolane Jack
• Phone: 808-835-9634
• Email: [email protected]