Summary Supervisory Cytotechnologist- The incumbent is assigned to the Anatomic Pathology section of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). The Anatomic Pathology section includes Histology, Surgical Pathology, Autopsy, and Cytology. The incumbent supervises a large group of nonsupervisory technical personnel. The incumbent recommends appointment, plans, and assigns work, provides advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Responsibilities Supervisory Cytotechnologist- The incumbent supervises a large group of nonsupervisory technical personnel including Histopathology Technicians, Cytotechnologists, Pathology Specialists, and at least one GS-11 subordinate. The incumbent recommends appointment, plans, and assigns work, provides advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Duties or functions performed include but are not limited to: - Provides overall supervision of the Anatomic Pathology section to include selection of staff and oversight and documentation of training and orientation of new support staff, cytotechnologists, cytotechnology students, residents, and other new employees within the Anatomic Pathology section. - Provides day-to-day technical supervision of the highly complex testing performed in the section. Develops and documents competency assessments, to include corrective action/retraining when appropriate. - Responsible for implementation and maintenance of regulatory quality control and quality assurance functions related to Anatomic Pathology to include Cytology, Surgical Pathology, Histology and Autopsy. - Develops and implements the use of protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Monitors conformity to protocols. - Plans, organizes, and communicates management goals, and ensures compliance with regulations. - Plans, implements, and coordinates a quality control/quality assurance program for Anatomic Pathology and assures compliance with quality control and proficiency testing programs, accrediting agencies. - Evaluates and selects reagents, supplies, and instruments. - Ensures that policies and procedures, including safety practices, are effectively followed by all staff in the AP section. - The incumbent 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. - The incumbent makes work assignments, writes performance evaluations and staff competencies, and solves administrative problems. Plans work schedules and sequence of operation for Anatomic Pathology. - Grants leave to subordinates in the assigned T&L group according to established leave policies.- Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4:00PM, Monday-Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70784-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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). 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 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 Graduates-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. GS-12 level: Grade Determination Experience- Applicants must possess 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, which is directly related to the position to be filled (Supervisory Cytotechnologist). Examples of specialized experience includes: provides direction to cytology staff by leading and overseeing daily operations of the cytology laboratory. Monitors the processing of cytology preparations, including associated quality control measures. establishes procedure manuals and forms necessary to meet departmental and regulatory needs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to effectively interact with employees, team leaders, and managers. 2. 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. 3. Skill in communicating management goals with individuals to obtain the desired effect, while ensuring compliance with established policies and regulations. 4. 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. 5. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. 6.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. 7.Ability to rescreen previously screened negative cases, including those designated as "high risk" cases, before the diagnostic interpretation is released from the cytopathology laboratory. 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). 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves prolonged sitting at a microscope, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision, and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. The FNA work involves pushing a cart that houses a microscope, stain line and other requires supplies for FNA collection. Occasionally may lift 20lbs individually and with assistance 20-30 pounds. 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.