Summary This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, in Aurora, CO. Responsibilities The incumbent has cytotechnologist and supervisory duties as below. The incumbent has full cytotechnologist duties to include screening gynecologic and Non gynecologic slides, independently making slides and evaluating fine needle aspirations for adequacy, maintaining all accreditation required Cytology data, implementing and monitoring all cytology quality management activities including educational and proficiency testing activities. The incumbent at this level has full supervisory responsibility for a staff of nonsupervisory personnel consisting of a mix of GS levels of Histology Technologists, Histology Technicians and a Pathology Specialist. Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel and evaluates work of subordinates. Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance. Assures corrective action is initiated and completed. Assures orientation, training and competency assessment of assigned staff. Develops and updates technical policy and procedure manuals. Ensures all staff are in compliance with accrediting and regulating bodies, developing and implementing the requirements for the Anatomic Pathology Quality Assurance Program. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level These assignments require specialized training and experience. The incumbent must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance, with wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. The incumbent directs testing and staff performance in the recognized high complexity areas of Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology. Duties/Tasks: Plans and schedules on-going work. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies. Day-to-day supervision of highly complex test performance. Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance. Ensures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications. Ensures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff and documents appropriately. Trains and supervises staff in cytology processing, making slides and evaluating adequacy at fine needle aspirations, ROSES and EUS and appropriate handling of cytologic material. Performs full range of duties as a cytotechnologist including interpretation of pap smears. Implements and monitors quality management activities. Performs the full range of supervisory duties and is competent in testing performed under his/her supervision. Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives The incumbent is directly accountable to the Laboratory Manager, P&LMS. The incumbent works independently; supervision is mainly advisory in nature. The incumbent provides first line supervision to several laboratory sections (Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology and Autopsy). The incumbent provides oversight and guidance to the anatomic pathology staff. The incumbent is responsible for informing the Laboratory Manager and medical directors of the respective sections of major problems and decisions in these cases in a timely manner. The incumbent receives assignments of a general nature from the Laboratory Manager, P&LMS. Subsequent findings and recommendations are used by the Laboratory Manager as the basis for his/her subsequent decision- responsibilities are self-initiated, such as identifying and correcting problems, quality improvement and identifying ways of improving the efficiency of the service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: CytoSup-GS-0601-12FS54699-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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: (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. English Language Proficiency: Cytotechnologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Cytotechnologist (Supervisory), GS-12: Experience: At this level, the candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled. 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. The supervisory cytotechnologist performs a full range of supervisory duties for one or more sections of the laboratory. The supervisor makes work assignments, writes performance evaluations and staff competencies, and solves administrative problems. The supervisory cytotechnologist plans, organizes, and communicates management goals, and ensures compliance with regulations. The cytotechnologist is able to demonstrate leadership and managerial skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to effectively interact with employees, team leads, and managers. The supervisory cytotechnologist uses federal and state laws, regulations, and laboratory quality management procedures and principles to develop plans that aid in the laboratory quality management program and education, testing, and training of staff. In accordance with the CAP guidelines, the cytotechnologist may be responsible for rescreening previously screened negative cases and those designated "high risk" cases, before the diagnostic interpretation is released from the cytopathology laboratory. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to effectively interact with employees, team leaders, and managers. Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. Skill in communicating management goals with individuals to obtain the desired effect, while ensuring compliance with established policies and regulations. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, maintenance of staff competencies, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, as appropriate. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff, including annual CLIA proficiency testing. Ability to rescreen previously screened negative cases, including those designated as "high risk" cases, before the diagnostic interpretation is released from the cytopathology laboratory. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.