Supervisory Cytotechnologist

Department of Veterans Affairs•Aurora, CO

69d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, in Aurora, CO. The incumbent has cytotechnologist and supervisory duties as below. The incumbent has full cytotechnologist duties to include screening gynecologic and Non gynecologic slides, independently making slides and evaluating fine needle aspirations for adequacy, maintaining all accreditation required Cytology data, implementing and monitoring all cytology quality management activities including educational and proficiency testing activities. The incumbent at this level has full supervisory responsibility for a staff of nonsupervisory personnel consisting of a mix of GS levels of Histology Technologists, Histology Technicians and a Pathology Specialist. Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel and evaluates work of subordinates. Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance. Assures corrective action is initiated and completed. Assures orientation, training and competency assessment of assigned staff. Develops and updates technical policy and procedure manuals. Ensures all staff are in compliance with accrediting and regulating bodies, developing and implementing the requirements for the Anatomic Pathology Quality Assurance Program. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level These assignments require specialized training and experience. The incumbent must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance, with wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. The incumbent directs testing and staff performance in the recognized high complexity areas of Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology. The incumbent is directly accountable to the Laboratory Manager, P&LMS. The incumbent works independently; supervision is mainly advisory in nature. The incumbent provides first line supervision to several laboratory sections (Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology and Autopsy). The incumbent provides oversight and guidance to the anatomic pathology staff. The incumbent is responsible for informing the Laboratory Manager and medical directors of the respective sections of major problems and decisions in these cases in a timely manner. The incumbent receives assignments of a general nature from the Laboratory Manager, P&LMS. Subsequent findings and recommendations are used by the Laboratory Manager as the basis for his/her subsequent decision- responsibilities are self-initiated, such as identifying and correcting problems, quality improvement and identifying ways of improving the efficiency of the service.

Requirements

Specialized training and experience.
Advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance
Wide latitude for exercising independent judgment.
Competent in testing performed under his/her supervision.

Responsibilities

Plans and schedules on-going work. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures.
Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies.
Day-to-day supervision of highly complex test performance.
Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance.
Ensures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications.
Ensures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff and documents appropriately.
Trains and supervises staff in cytology processing, making slides and evaluating adequacy at fine needle aspirations, ROSES and EUS and appropriate handling of cytologic material.
Performs full range of duties as a cytotechnologist including interpretation of pap smears.
Implements and monitors quality management activities.
Performs the full range of supervisory duties and is competent in testing performed under his/her supervision. Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates.
Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives