Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent, full time San Juan VA Medical Center employees ONLY NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The cytotechnologist acts as a professional resource, troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifies suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The cytotechnologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for receiving, processing and preparing all specimens for cytologic diagnosis, special stains, immunocytochemistry, and molecular tests. Must possess enough knowledge to discriminate among many different Cytopreparatory techniques to obtain the most advantageous cytologic preparation in diverse specimens received, to render an adequate microscopic evaluation to provide an accurate cytologic diagnosis.
• Process and monitor each sample independently as required by the nature of the specimen, patient's clinical history and /or physician request. This includes the use of complex laboratory equipment including, but not limited to centrifuge, cytocentrifuge, liquid based cytology processor (Thin-prep), slide Stainer, automated cell block processor (Cellient), special stain/immunohistochemistry automated system and Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) equipment.
• Responsible for microscopic evaluation of all cytology specimens including but not limited to: oral cytology, head and neck cytology, respiratory cytology, gastrointestinal and urinary tract cytology, gynecologic cytology, central nervous system cytology, hematologic cytology, needle aspiration biopsies and tissue imprints/scraping from fresh specimens received for frozen section.
• Reviews clinical data of patients and microscopically evaluates gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign/reactive changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents, among others, and has the responsibility to render a preliminary cytologic diagnosis prior to the final evaluation by the pathologist.
• Attends fine needle aspiration procedures and assists the physician preparing the sample properly and provides rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for specimen adequacy assessment and/or preliminary cytologic findings.

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:60991F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 identification 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.
• Spanish proficiency
  

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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

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. Experience includes: reviews clinical data of patients and evaluates 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; issues and verifies the final diagnosis for negative gynecologic specimens; prioritizes, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistochemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies; instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples for processing, and performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures.

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

1. 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.
2. Ability to make a preliminary cytodiagnosis to issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative.
3. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides.
4. Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processing.
5. 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.
6. Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures.
7. Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position.

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

Physical Requirements: The work of this position is performed in a laboratory and may require the following physical demands: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds), moderate carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing (up to 4 hours per shift), repeated bending, and sitting for extended periods. Manual dexterity is essential for operating and maintaining laboratory instruments. Visual acuity, including color vision and near vision (correctable), is required for specimen preparation, microscopic examination, and accurate result interpretation. The position also requires the ability to perform repetitive motions, such as pipetting, slide preparation, and use of laboratory equipment.

The incumbent may be exposed to infectious and chemical agents, and must follow universal precautions and safety procedures at all times. Periods of mental concentration and stress are sometimes experienced due to frequent interruptions and the need for accuracy in testing and
reporting. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with VA policy.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.