Cytotechnologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Advanced Cytotechnologist at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN. The incumbent performs highly complex cytology testing within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service and ensures specimen adequacy for diagnostic accuracy.

Qualifications include a baccalaureate degree, an accredited cytotechnology program, and ASCP CT or SCT certification. Grandfathering may apply for current VA staff meeting criteria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university and completion of an accredited cytotechnology program
• Cytotechnologist (CT) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) certification by the ASCP Board of Certification
• Grandfathering provision may apply for current VA employees who meet criteria

Responsibilities

• Perform highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens in cytopathology
• Independently determine specimen adequacy during procedures such as Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and Fine Needle Aspiration
• Maintain and monitor the laboratory quality management and quality control program and initiate corrective actions as needed
• Research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment

Skills

Specimen adequacy

Quality control

Data analysis

Procedural validation

Education

Baccalaureate degree

ACGME/CAHEP cytotechnology program

Job description

The incumbent serves as a Advanced Cytotechnologist within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Indianapolis, IN performing key duties in the Cytology laboratory. Cytotechnologists are certified laboratory professionals performing highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of Cytopathology.

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

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

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

• Ability to independently determine specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures.
• 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.
• Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives.
• 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 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 to perform procedures and tasks, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.