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The Cytotechnologist position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the Salisbury VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology. The incumbent will provide cytology support to Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, Autopsy and Histopathology.
06/10/2022 to 06/30/2022
$67,274 - $87,452 per year
GS 11
No
No
Not required
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
Yes
CBTA-11532802-22-BLD
659463300
This vacancy announcement is open to Facility and VA Agency Employees Only
The Cytotechnologist duties include but are not limited to: have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. For assignments above the full performance 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 Incumbent may act as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures. The incumbent performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program. The incumbent uses these laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives; will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment.
The Cytotechnologist is responsible for performance of a broad range of testing on patient specimens including surgical specimens, autopsy, gynecological, aspiration biopsy material, blood, urine, sputum, body fluids, CSF, scrapings, and washings. Participates in the fine needle aspiration biopsy service daily, including rapid on-site assessments to evaluate for specimen adequacy. Independently perform ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation).
The Cytotechnologist has wide latitude for exercising independent judgement. Develops and implements the use of protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results and monitors conformity to protocols. Regularly retrieves and evaluates patient data to assess relevant cytopathology parameters (e.g. cytology- histology correlations, ASCUS/SIL ratios, lookback data). Participates in proficiency testing programs for Anatomic Pathology and Surgical Pathology (e.g. Pap PT, ASCP Check Sample Program, CAP surveys). Develops, maintains, and updates procedure manuals. Designs forms as necessary to comply with regulatory agency and laboratory needs. Provides assistance with record keeping system including statistical analysis for Anatomic Pathology and monitors workload recording system. Coordinates and maintains documentation for staff pathologists on all external proficiency testing relating to cytopathology and surgical pathology. Ensures patient materials are provided in a timely fashion for internal and external customers (e.g., pathology case conferences, external facility requests, samples to be tested at reference labs).
The position is under technical directorship of the Chief of P&LMS or assigned pathologist and supervision of the Laboratory Manager. The Laboratory Manager provides administrative guidance and general supervision in terms of the broadly defined missions or functions of P&LMS. The position is responsible for independently planning, organizing and coordinating work, resolving problems and ensuring conformity to policy and requirements.
Customer Service: Meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions; consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and handles conflict & problems in dealing with the customers constructively and appropriately.
Health Safety: The work environment includes risks of exposure, discomfort, and/or irritation associated with regular and recurrent use of hazards such as infectious materials, hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic reagents (e.g. formaldehyde) and sharp objects (e.g. scalpel blades and microtome knives). The incumbent must use appropriate PPEs, (protective clothing, gloves, face masks, safety goggles, mechanical pipetting devices and biologic safety hoods) as indicated by established safety procedures. The incumbent is required to read and follow guidelines stated in P&LMS and medical center safety manuals.
Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized to qualified candidates
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Receiving Service Credit or 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/30/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11532802.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/659463300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.