Cytotechnologist

Cytotechnologist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Miami, Florida

Salary Range: $94612 - $122990 Per Year

Job Summary: Cytotechnologists within the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center 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.

Major Duties:

• Cytotechnologists are responsible for: reporting the microscopic interpretation of normal pap smear tests used to detect cervical cancer; providing preliminary interpretation of specimens from other body sites; and collaborating with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes, precancerous lesions, and malignant diseases. Also responsible for sample preparation and processing.The duties and responsibilities of a Cytotechnologist include but are not limited to the following: The cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining. The cytotechnologist independently 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. Prioritizes workflow/specimen triage, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistechemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of the regulatory agencies. Accession specimens, determining adequacy and quality of specimens prior to recording the data in appropriate log books and/or computer. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunocytochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. Selects appropriate procedures and prepares specimens to ensure high quality preservation and morphology. Instructs others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens and determines acceptability of patient samples 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. Provides on-call assistance to radiologists or physicians during fine needle aspirations. Prepares slides and uses both conventional and special rapid processing methods. Develops improved procedures using experience and a variety of references. Screens from 80 to 100 slides per day identifying cells and marking abnormal cells for the pathologists. Suggests diagnosis and consults with the pathologist or unusual cases. Unsatisfactory and negative cases will be reviewed and supervised by the pathologist, who is ultimately responsible for the electronic signing out and release of all cytology reports in compliance with the guidelines of regulatory agencies. Review cases with staff physicians, dental and medical residents. Teaches medical students and others who are interested. Participates in QMPI activities by maintaining a file of cytology results to compare with the histopathology findings, diagnosis and correlates results. Participates in the QA look-back and review of specimens. Correlates findings informs the pathologist and maintains data files. Cross-trains Histopathology technicians in the preparation of slides. Performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures. Prepares solutions and reagents used for processing and staining. Independently performs or monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining. If a discrepancy is identified with these processes, the cytotechnologist will troubleshoot and take corrective action. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30707FRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education-Transcript Submitted. 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. Licensure-Documentation Submitted. Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. 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--Documentation Submitted. 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. Grandfathering Provision. All cytotechnologists employed in VHA, in this occupational series, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Cytotechnologists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Cytotechnologists appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Cytotechnologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Cytotechnologists who were retained in this occupation, under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Cytotechnologist, GS-11Experience. 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the advanced level, the cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining. If a discrepancy is identified with these processes, the cytotechnologist will troubleshoot and take corrective action. The cytotechnologist may act as a technical resource in writing and establishing new processes or procedures. The cytotechnologist performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program. The cytotechnologist uses these laboratory data to implement any needed quality improvement initiatives. The incumbent will research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment. Preferred Experience: Prior Cytotechnology experience. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/24/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12830797. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-24