The OKC VA Healthcare System, Pathology and Laboratory Service, is currently recruiting for one (1) Cytotechnologist. This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis; Applicants will be referred on a continual basis until all vacancies are filled OR until the closing date of this announcement.

Duties

This position is in the Anatomic Pathology (AP) section of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System (OKC VAHCS). The incumbent at this level 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, including rendering independent diagnosis on a subgroup of gynecologic specimens, and assisting in adequacy assessment of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy specimens obtained from procedures performed in Interventional Radiology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, and others. Performs testing according to all AP laboratory procedures including cytology and surgical pathology/histology. Follows all AP quality control and quality assurance activities. Ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies for the AP section (which encompasses cytology and surgical pathology/histology). Major Duties and Responsibilities: Cytotechnologist with at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9 possessing the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification as a cytotechnologist, i.e., CT (ASCP) or as a Specialist in Cytotechnology, i.e., SCT (ASCP). Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities Ability to review clinical data of patients, relate data to microscopic findings, recognize normal and abnormal cytology, including but not limited to, malignant neoplasms, precancerous lesions, infectious agents, and inflammatory processes in gynecologic, non-gynecologic and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Skilled at detecting, selecting, and clearly marking the most representative cells of the pathologic process. Ability to independently screen and evaluate gynecologic cytologic specimens (Pap Smears) for evidence of infection, precancerous changes, or malignancy. Knowledge of Pap smears that fall within normal limits separating them from those that show possible abnormalities and require pathologist review. Ability to formulate a provisional diagnosis on all atypical gynecologic cytology specimens and on all non-gynecologic specimens and forwards them to the attending pathologist for review. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processing. Ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures as written or designed by the AP/Cytotechnologist Supervisor and approved by the P&LMS Service Chief. Knowledge of the standards of regulatory agencies by assisting to gather statistical data to meet the requirements set forth by The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure compliance with requirements and guidelines. Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures. Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage. - Ability to oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals, and equipment by staff to ensure adherence to safety regulations along with the safety coordinator. These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and 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 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD52910A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized according to agency policy Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. All cytotechnologists employed in VHA, in this occupational series, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1)Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2)Cytotechnologists appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3)Cytotechnologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation (4)Cytotechnologists who were retained in this occupation, under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Cytotechnologist 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. ii. 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. 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 (c) v. - (c) viii: **Electron Microscopy (KSA (c) v.): Ability to utilize electron microscope, performance of ultrathin cryomicrotomy, and staining of ultrastructural components. ***Safety Coordination (KSA (c) vi.): Ability to oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals, and equipment by all staff and ensures adherence to safety regulations. ****Laboratory Education (KSA (c) vii.): Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements. *****Automated Data Processing Applications Coordinator (KSA (c) viii.): Ability to carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance. References: VA Handbook 5005/126, PART II, APPENDIX G61. CYTOTECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDAQRD, GS-0601, This vacancy is being announced above the full performance level as a GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 VA Oklahoma City Health Care System 921 Northeast 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]