Cytotechnologist

Veterans Health Administration • Bay Pines, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is a Level 1A complexity teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services supported by state-of-the-art technology. The Cytotechnologist is a certified laboratory professional who performs highly complex diagnostic testing on human specimens for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in cytopathology.

The position involves detecting and preventing disease through microscopic interpretation of cytology specimens. The Cytotechnologist reports interpretations of normal Pap smear tests, provides preliminary interpretations of specimens from other body sites, and collaborates with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes, precancerous lesions, and malignant diseases. The role also includes specimen preparation and adequacy assessment, laboratory quality management, compliance with regulatory standards, and evaluating, validating, and implementing procedures and equipment.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework is not available. The full performance level is GS-11. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exceptions for non-citizens.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completion of a cytotechnology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
• Current Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification from the ASCP Board of Certification.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 journey level, directly related to the position.
• Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures using complex specialized methods or techniques.
• Knowledge of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes for laboratory quality management and quality control.
• Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing quality assurance data, statistics, trends, and reports and implementing quality improvement initiatives.
• Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment.
• Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope, with microanatomy knowledge sufficient to identify ultrastructural and microchemical findings.
• Ability to convey safety regulations and guidelines, including CAP, JC, and OSHA, and ensure staff compliance with safety requirements.
• Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing laboratory continuing education program to meet accreditation standards.
• Skill in maintaining and troubleshooting computers and laboratory system instrumentation.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet applicable background, security, drug-testing, identification, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including moderate lifting up to 45 pounds and the specified movement, visual, hearing, and cognitive abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be available to highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Perform and monitor smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining.
• Determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures.
• Troubleshoot discrepancies in specimen preparation, fixation, processing, and staining, and take corrective action.
• Monitor the laboratory quality management and quality control program and initiate corrective action as needed.
• Evaluate cytology preparations by light microscopy for cellular patterns, microorganisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, premalignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents.
• Issue and verify final diagnoses for gynecologic specimens interpreted as negative.
• Prepare specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunochemistry testing, including filtration, preparation, fixation, and slide staining.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including those of TJC, CAP, CLIA, and OSHA.
• Research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment.
• Write and establish new laboratory processes or procedures.
• Collect, compile, and analyze laboratory quality data and use it to implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Convey safety regulations and guidelines and help ensure staff compliance, including through continuing education and employee orientation.
• Plan and administer an ongoing laboratory continuing education program to meet accreditation standards.
• Maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal work or military service if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior