This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment as a cytotechnologist, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part.) 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. Certification. Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. 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. 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. 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 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 cytotechnologist 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 these laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment NOTE: Advanced assignments may also include one or more of the tasks identified below. When these duties are required, the Advanced Cytotechnologist must also demonstrate the corresponding advanced KSAs as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) below in KSA (c) v. - (c) viii. These KSAs are: **Electron Microscopy (KSA (c) v.): Ability to utilize electron microscope, performance of ultrathin cryomicrotomy, and staining of ultrastructural components. ***Safety Coordination (KSA (c) vi.): Ability to oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals, and equipment by all staff and ensures adherence to safety regulations. ****Laboratory Education (KSA (c) vii.): Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements. *****Automated Data Processing Applications Coordinator (KSA (c) viii.): Ability to carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv. and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s): i. Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. ii. 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. iii. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends, and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. iv. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. v. **Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope. Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings. vi. ***Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as CAP, JC, and OSHA, and to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation. vii. ****Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards viii.*****Skill to maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/126, Part II, Appendix G61, Cytotechnologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: The position includes physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, stooping, bending, reaching and lifting of equipment and supplies, and hand-eye coordination to perform visual field evaluations. It may require frequent periods of walking throughout the facility to interface with other services, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying. The incumbent is exposed to CRT/PC screen radiation sometimes for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties/functions of the position. ["Provide primary microscopic examination on all cytology specimens and final diagnosis on gynecologic specimens. Performs a broad range of tests, including non-routine analysis. Recognizes cellular changes, stain chemistry and tissue fixation necessary to obtain quality results. Design, implement and maintain a quality control/quality assurance program for the cytopathology laboratory. Modify or adapt current methods of operation to resolve technical or diagnostic problems including daily review of stain quality and makes recommendations and/or changes as appropriate. Provide technical instruction on problems and advise other departments on cytopathology techniques Independently correlates the anatomy and physiology of body sites to the function and appearance of cells as well as normal and abnormal cellular changes. Assist in selecting, adapting and implementing techniques to achieve optimum diagnostic quality specimens. Triage specimens for ancillary diagnostic testing such as immunohistochemistry and new molecular technologies without written guidance and evaluate validity of results. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, based on agency needs\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: F50190\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact jabob.towner@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]