Summary

This position is in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the Salisbury VA Medical Center. Performs highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing for diagnosis - treatment - and prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology. Will provide cytology support to Surgical Pathology - Cytopathology - Autopsy - and Histopathology. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Detailed information on EDRP can be found in the Duties Section below.

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 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
• (1) Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
• (2) Loss of Certification
• An employee who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment.English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound - Endobronchial Ultrasound - and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures
• (b) 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
• (c) Skill in collecting - compiling - and analyzing data for quality assurance - statistics - trends and reports - and implementing quality improvement initiatives
• (d) Skill in researching - testing - validating - and implementing new procedures and equipment
• (e) Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope
• Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings
• (f) 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
• (g) Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards
• (h) Skill to maintain and troubleshoot computers and laboratory system instrumentation
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work includes walking and/or standing - carrying of light items such as manuals - supplies - and small instruments
• The maximum amount of lifting is 50 lbs
• Bending - standing - squatting and sitting can be expected.

Duties

• Major Duties but not limited to: Performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation - slide fixation - cell block preparation - monolayer filtration processing - and staining Acts as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures Performs a full range of specialized tasks - including collecting - compiling - and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program Researches - tests - validates - and implements new procedures and equipment 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) Possesses a 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) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Rodney Belk - Rodney.Belk@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more