Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Major Duties may include:

• Reads all medical and gynecological material submitted for cytology from the following VAMHCS facilities: Baltimore, Perry Point and all CBOCs. Provide systematic examination of all material on the slide. Abnormal material marked for the Pathologist review. Written diagnostic interpretation given on all specimens received for processing at the Baltimore laboratory.
• Responsible for independently reading and providing diagnostic evaluation on all the pap smears. Supply the "Cytyc Thin Prep Pap Test" kit to the gynecology clinics within the above mentioned facilities and work in conjunction with the clinicians to train all users.
• Responsible for training all hospital services to the proper fixation and technique to use the cytolyt solutions for thin prep processing using the Cytyc. All specimens are processed using the Cytyc Processor.
• Carefully monitors the processing and quality of preparations to ensure optimum slides for diagnostic interpretation. Maintains familiarity with current literature in Anatomic Pathology as regards processing and diagnostic evaluation. Modifications in processing and advances in cytology and histology provide the veteran patient with the best in quality and diagnosis in expeditious time, and reasonable cost to the hospital.
• Responsible for performing a variety of procedures, including analyses; updating procedural manuals; monitoring the equipment and its accuracy; setting up and monitoring quality controls on equipment and on the diagnostic interpretation, and preparation on all slides read and processes in the Baltimore Laboratory.
• Supervises preparation of reagents, assembles equipment, process specimens using the thin prep processor, control physical conditions to respond to the time factor to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Participates in continuing education and Cytopathology conference with staff Pathologists to review and discuss inconclusive sign outs. Recommendation for further evaluation is made at this time.
• Assists Cytology supervisor in reviewing Standard Operating Procedure Manuals to improve quality, accuracy or improve patient care and to be in compliance with accrediting agency and JCAHO.
• Independently determines specimen adequacy where rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of bronchial, pulmonary, lymph node, gastric, pancreatic and/or soft tissue masses are being performed.
• Available to assist residents in orientation to VA methodology; i.e., locating keys, accessing supplies, proper use of equipment, securing the work area.
• Responsible for coordinating the quality assurance/quality control programs for cytology: 1. Collect QA assurance paper daily on the quality and timeliness of stains and filing; 2. Monitor the initialing and filing out of designated QA sheets throughout the cytology area and within the rapid on-site evaluation set-up; 3. Review the written statistics and compare to the monthly computer print-out for AMIS validating and reorganizing when needed. 4. Check maintenance sheets quarterly for accuracy and completion; 5. Serves as technical specialist to handle any problems that occur between VA facilities that are cytology related to transportation, specimen fixation resulting, grossing, or procedural decisions.
• Assists with the release of slides and blocks from this hospital to other medical and treating facilities. Assist in completing necessary paperwork with attorneys that represent the patients or patient's family. Communicates with the Office of Regional Council to preserve and protect patients confidentially and legal rights to material held here at the VA Medical Center.
• The purpose of contact is to plan or coordinate work efforts to resolve operating problems by influencing or motivating individuals or groups. Works toward mutual goals, cooperative attitudes, and shows team effort to carrying out the VA mission. Coordinate work efforts or resolve operating problems concerning equipment or test methods.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 dentification 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.

• 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.

Qualifications

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. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.
• 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 inconventional U.S. programs.
• 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.

• Ability to review clinical data of patients, relate data to microscopic findings, and evaluate all cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents.
• Ability to make a preliminary cyto-diagnosis to issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative.
• Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cyto-diagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides.
• Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processing.
• Knowledge of the standards of regulatory agencies, such as those of Joint Commission (JC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure compliance with requirements and guidelines.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures.
• Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage.

• 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

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.