Cytotechnologist

Duties

• Perform a wide range of cytological and consultative services in support of a Medical Treatment Facility.
• Oversee administrative, clerical, and technical support activities of other personnel within the laboratory, coordinating workload and administrative duties.
• Makes recommendations to supervisor or other officials for adoption of new techniques which are of practical value.
• Assist the medical director and resident physicians with research projects.
• Determines the suitability of cases for accessioning and renders a diagnostic judgment. Based on complex cytological tests and procedures, renders a microscopic diagnosis of cases independent of a physician's (pathologist's) interpretation.
• Provides direct patient care for diagnostic support to clinics by assessing specimen adequacy after procurement by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy technique, independent of direct physician (pathologist) supervision.
• Assures compliance with quality assurance/control and proficiency testing programs, safety standards, accreditation requirements and departmental policies.
• Correlates all cytopathology specimens (abnormal and normal) with any corresponding tissue biopsy specimens and prepares a daily cyto-histo correlation report for review by pathologist.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter.
• Required to be screened for applicable immunizations or pre-existing immunity based on occupational risk, regardless of job series.
• This position has a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement. A candidate tentatively selected for appointment to this position will be required to sign a statement consenting to annual seasonal influenza vaccination.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

Basic Requirement for a Cytotechnologist:

Degree: Bachelor's or graduate (or higher level) degree with major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes conducting quality control and/or microscopic diagnosis on cytologic specimens; maintaining cytology equipment; and preparing diagnostic reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Cytotechnology.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

The following Certifications are highly desired:
- Valid American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) Cytology (CT or SCT)
- A valid thin-prep certification

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.