Summary The pathology laboratory provides specialized diagnostic services to patients admitted to the VA Medical Centers located at Perry Point, Baltimore, Martinsburg, GRECC and CBOC locations. The cytology section provides diagnostic interpretation of human disease including rapid on-site evaluation in the endoscopy/bronchoscopy suite, interventional radiology and for the endocrine clinic, gynecological pap smear results, and participates in departmental research. Responsibilities Major Duties May Include: Reads all medical and gynecological material submitted for cytology from the following VAMHCS facilities: Baltimore, Perry Point and all CBOCs. Provide systematic examination of all material on the slide. Abnormal material marked for the Pathologist review. Written diagnostic interpretation given on all specimens received for processing at the Baltimore laboratory. Responsible for independently reading and providing diagnostic evaluation on all the pap smears. Supply the "Cytyc Thin Prep Pap Test" kit to the gynecology clinics within the above mentioned facilities and work in conjunction with the clinicians to train all users. All pap smears are processed at the Baltimore Laboratory using the thin prep processor. Responsible for training all hospital services to the proper fixation and technique to use the cytolyt solutions for thin prep processing using the Cytyc. All specimens are processed using the Cytyc Processor. Carefully monitors the processing and quality of preparations to ensure optimum slides for diagnostic interpretation. Maintains familiarity with current literature in Anatomic Pathology as regards processing and diagnostic evaluation. Modifications in processing and advances in cytology and histology provide the veteran patient with the best in quality and diagnosis in expeditious time, and reasonable cost to the hospital. Responsible for performing a variety of procedures, including analyses; updating procedural manuals; monitoring the equipment and its accuracy; setting up and monitoring quality controls on equipment and on the diagnostic interpretation, and preparation on all slides read and processes in the Baltimore Laboratory. Assists Cytology supervisor in reviewing Standard Operating Procedure Manuals to improve quality, accuracy or improve patient care and to be in compliance with accrediting agency and JCAHO. Independently determines specimen adequacy where rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchial, pulmonary, lymph node, gastric, pancreatic and/or soft tissue masses are being performed. Serves as technical specialist to handle any problems that occur between VA facilities that are cytology related to transportation, specimen fixation resulting, grossing, or procedural decisions. Works toward mutual goals, cooperative attitudes, and shows team effort to carrying out the VA mission. Coordinate work efforts or resolve operating problems concerning equipment or test methods. Review unexpected results, assist laboratory workers and physicians; instructing technicians in technical skills, clarifying problems, product suppliers or manufacturers of anatomic equipment; promoting daily work practice that conform to safety plans and standards set by regulating agencies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am- 4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 512-26272-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. 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 (1) 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. Grade Determinations: Cytotechnologist, 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 i. - iv. 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. Preferred Experience: A minimum of one year experience in Cytology 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-09. This position is being selected at the GS-11. 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 "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." 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.
