Cytotechnologist GS-11

Description:

The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility, at a Level 1A Complexity. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. Comprehensive healthcare is provided through primary care, mental health and long­ term care. In addition to the main facility in St. Petersburg, there are services offered in seven community-based outpatient clinics and one outpatient clinic.

Requirements:

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Cytotechnologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• 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. ( Transcripts must be submitted)

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. ( Foreign evaluation must be submitted)

• Certification : Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification ( Certification must be submitted)

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).

Grade Determinations :
GS-11:
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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs:

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ . VA Handbook 5005/126 PART II APPENDIX G61

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents and performing repetitive motions to complete tasks. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care.