Department of Veterans Affairs

Cytotechnologist GS-11

Bay Pines, Florida Full time

Cytotechnologist GS-11

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Bay Pines, Florida

Salary Range: $78733 - $102348 Per Year

Job Summary: The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility, at a Level 1A Complexity. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. Comprehensive healthcare is provided through primary care, mental health and long­ term care. In addition to the main facility in St. Petersburg, there are services offered in seven community-based outpatient clinics and one outpatient clinic.

Major Duties:

  • Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. The duties and responsibilities of a Cytotechnologist include but are not limited to the following: - Performs and monitors processes such as smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining. - Determines specimen adequacy using complex specialized testing methods or techniques during - Endoscopic Ultrasound, Endobronchial Ultrasound, and other Fine Needle Aspiration procedures. - Troubleshoot and take corrective action with smear preparation, slide fixation, cell block - preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining that show discrepancies. - Maintenance of laboratory equipment. - Determine how to prioritize workflow/specimen triage. - Monitor the overall laboratory quality management and quality control program, and initiate corrective action as needed. - 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 cellu responses to therapeutic agents. - Issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative. - Prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. - Instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and to determine acceptability of patient samples for processinq. - Ensure compliance with the standards of regulatory agencies, such as The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CUA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). - Research, test, validate, and implement new procedures and equipment. - Write and establish new processes or procedures. - Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21978F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Learn more.VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Learn more 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: 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. 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. ( Transcripts must be submitted) 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. ( Foreign evaluation must be submitted) Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Cytotechnologist (CT) (ASCP) or Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) (ASCP) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification ( Certification must be submitted) 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: 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: ii. 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. iii. Skill in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data for quality assurance, statistics, trends and reports, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. iv. Skill in researching, testing, validating, and implementing new procedures and equipment. v. **Ability to perform ultrathin microtomy and operate an electron microscope. Knowledge of microanatomy sufficient to note ultrastructural and microchemical findings. vi. ***Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as CAP, JC, and OSHA, and to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation. vii. ****Knowledge and skill to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/126 PART II APPENDIX G61 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 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents and performing repetitive motions to complete tasks. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care.

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 12/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12853615. 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: 2025-12-30