Summary The Cytotechnologist serves the Ann Arbor, MI VHA in the Pathology & Laboratory service. The employee oversees the daily operations of the cytology laboratory. Responsibilities Major Duties and Responsibilities: At this level, the Cytotechnologist independently develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing is conducted on a wide range of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using both manual and automated techniques. The work requires a high degree of independent judgment, accountability, and technical expertise, with minimal supervision. Responsibilities also include monitoring and maintaining quality control systems, collaborating with pathologists and other healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education and consultation to laboratory staff, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders within the medical center, including the public. Oversees the daily operations of the cytology laboratory. Duties include, but are not limited to ensuring proper handling, accessioning, and preparation of specimens for cytological examination; prioritizing the screening and evaluation of prepared slides; participating in quality monitors and proficiency testing as directed by the supervising pathologist or relevant proficiency programs; and assisting with fine needle aspiration (FNA) and ROSE procedures. The Cytotechnologist may also be required to work off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays in response to departmental needs and workload priorities. Functions: The duties of this position are included, but are not limited to: Daily Operations and Specimen Management: Conduct daily workload reviews to ensure efficient operations. Evaluate submitted specimens to confirm adequacy for analysis. Perform accessioning of specimens and prepare them for cytological examination. Ensure proper preparation and preservation of slides and residual materials during fine needle aspiration procedures. Prepare cell blocks and monitor the quality of preparation and staining. Dispose of specimens following laboratory manual procedures. Clinical Interaction and Assistance: Act as a primary point of contact for physicians regarding specimen or patient-related queries. Assist pathologists or clinicians during FNA or ROSE or any other procedures, ensuring proper slide preparation and preservation. Advise clinicians on optimal specimen collection and procurement techniques. Quality Control and Compliance: Screen prepared slides using current criteria, adhering to guidelines set by staff pathologists and regulatory agencies. Maintain familiarity with current literature and advancements in cytopathology, making necessary adjustments to processing methods. Participate in all cytology proficiency programs as required by the compliance agencies and by VA. Ensure the Cytology Laboratory Procedure Manual is current. Maintain proper staining setups and clean the laboratory area, equipment, and materials. Educational and Administrative Duties: Train personnel in cytology techniques. Complete all educational requirements mandated by regulatory agencies and the VHAANN HCS. Perform clerical duties including the filing of slides, reports, and other related materials. Schedule FNA appointments and work with other services with ROSE procedure appointments. Maintain an inventory of laboratory supplies to ensure uninterrupted operations. Collect and report data as requested by supervisors or pathologists Communication and Collaboration: Facilitate effective communication with physicians, nurses, technologists, and other hospital staff, as well as non-VHAANN personnel. Review recent cytology cases and pertinent surgical pathology specimens for patients with significant recent abnormalities, coordinating with the pathologist as needed. Supervisory Controls: The employee is part of the Anatomic Pathology section and under the general oversight of the pathologist assigned to the Cytology Laboratory who is under direction of the Chief of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. The employee works with little to no supervision on his/her daily routine. Specimen preparation, screening and all associated paper/computer work is to be handled by the employee without supervision The employee is to prioritize work based on clinical urgency or upon pathologist's request. Little to no supervision should be involved. Set guidelines, written procedures and direction from supervision will guide the employee in prioritizing workload All slides are subject to review by a staff pathologist Fine needle aspirations are performed by a staff pathologist; however, the employee is to be proficient in slide preparation, staining and screening of sides produced. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24263-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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. 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: 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 the KSAs: Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. 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. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. Physical Requirements: While work is partially sedentary, there are demands for standing, walking, bending at times. May also require travel by auto or plane. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
