Cytotechnologist

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent federal employees of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and second, The Public; and this is also the order of referral. VHA employees must submit a SF-50 that is within two years of closing of this announcement. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Functions or Scope of assigned duties of Cytotechnologist are but limited to the following:

Diagnostic Duties (35%):

• Perform highly complex testing on cellular material from all human body sites. Microscopically examines prepared cytological specimens and renders diagnoses. Recognizes normal and abnormal cytology, including but not limited to, malignant neoplasms, precancerous lesions, infectious agents and inflammatory processes in gynecologic, non-gynecologic and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Detects, selects and clearly marks the cells most representative of the pathological process. Develops differential diagnoses based on cellular evidence in conjunction with pertinent cognitive knowledge, clinical data, histological correlative material, review of previous patient material and knowledge of the various modes of treatment and their effect on the cytological interpretation.
• Independently screens and evaluates gynecologic cytologic specimens (Pap smears) for evidence of infection, precancerous changes of malignancy. Determines which Pap smears are within normal limits, separating them from those that show possible abnormalities and require pathologist review. Issues final pathologic report on negative Pap smears under his/her own name, with sole responsibility for the diagnosis. Formulates a provisional diagnosis on all atypical gynecologic cytology specimens and on all non-gynecologic specimens and forwards them to the attending pathologist for review.
• Functions as attending pathologist's assistant in FNA/core biopsy procedures in special radiologic procedures and clinics. In addition, independently prepares FNA specimens on-site, stains and microscopically examines to determine adequacy of cytological interpretation. Gid the clinician in obtaining further samples, if needed. Determines appropriate triage of procure FNA specimens for further diagnostic studies.

Lab Oversight (25%):

• Together with the Anatomic Pathology Supervisor, develops, implements, and monitors the lab's Quality Control/Assurance Program (QC/A) to provide improved Veteran care. Monitors workload and productivity and recommend improvements where needed. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of abnormal findings or aberrant results. Determines, plans and implements new procedures and technologies to achieve and maintain a state-of-the-art cytopathology laboratory. Responsible for establishing, validating, and writing procedures for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual for newly procured tests and instruments to further improve cytopathology service to the Veterans.
• Instructs cytopathology/anatomic pathology staff on processing of cytologic specimens, emphasizing proper patient safety issues, workflow and equipment operations. When changes in specimen collection/processing and diagnostic classification occur, actively participates in medical staff meetings and conferences to provide providers with current information and ensure continued quality Veteran care. Responsible for preparation for accreditation inspections and correction of identified deficiencies of the lab. Attends and participates in various department meetings for the improvement of inter and intradepartmental relations and the maintenance of optimal Veteran care. Monitors resources used in lab in terms of supplies, stock levels and re-order points; maintains good inventory and ordering practices; reviews budget reports and makes recommendations for cost containment, when necessary..

Technical Duties (20%):

• Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for processing and request new specimens, if specimen is determined unusable. Has experience and knowledge in processing and preparation of specimens for cytopathology testing while controlling physical conditions and complying with time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Acknowledges technical limitations and various possibilities for procedural errors in Cyto-preparation and takes corrective action.
• Develops procedures for new testing methods to include new molecular diagnostics technology.
• Establishes standards and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment.
• Obtains the necessary approval to implement new techniques or practices in the local laboratory. Prepares professional implementation plan, including test and evaluation of the technique in meeting stated objectives. Develop quality control measures for implementation.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93529-0
Recruitment Incentives: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.

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 identification 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 success 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 of 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.
• English Proficiency: Cytotechnologist must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

1. Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and include the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. Cytotechnologists appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. Cytotechnologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. Cytotechnologists who were retained in this occupation, under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

And,

Grade Determinations:

Cytotechnolgist GS-11:

1. Experience. The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-09) that is directly related to the position to be filled.
2. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 255 of the time. At the advanced lee, 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. Cytotechnologists may act as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures. The cytotechnologist performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program. The cytotechnologist uses this laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment.
3. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In additional to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv and the advanced KSA(s) as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s):

1. Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine needle Aspiration procedures.
2. 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.
3. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends, and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives.
4. 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: Physical requirements are those physical, mental and emotional capabilities and characteristics that are essential for successful job performance. Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position and documented in the position description or functional statement, and supported by a studies or evaluations establishing physical requirements is job-related to the occupations. An applicant or employee may not be disqualified arbitrarily on the basis of physical requirements or other criteria that do not relate specifically to performance of the duties of a specific position.

How you will be evaluated

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps