Cytotechnologist Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Summary This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service within the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, AR. This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Federal employees

• Competitive service Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales. Federal employees
• Excepted service Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Internal to an agency Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement. Clarification from the agency This job is open to current permanent employees of Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks and its satellites, current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees, and all US Citizens.

NOTE:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties The duties and responsibilities of the Cytotechnologist

• are included but are not limited to the following: Patient Slide Review and Result Reporting Duties (25%) Performs highly specialized work with the responsibility for distinguishing various benign conditions from dysplasia/neoplasia and identifying a variety of infectious agents.

Examines a variety of specimens for cytological examination to include but are not limited to respiratory tract material, gastrointestinal material, urological material, body fluids, gynecologic smears, cerebrospinal fluid, and fine needle aspirations of various organs and body sites. Examines and evaluates cell samples for the presence or absence of normal/abnormal, patterns, presence of microorganisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign changes, premalignant changes, neoplasms, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents. Performs microscopic examination for abnormal cells or any objects of diagnostic significance and marks these cells or objects for review. Classifies any abnormalities according to established procedures and writes a screening cytology report to be given bthe responsible pathologist. Signs out Gynecological cases without pathologist review per VHA Handbook. Statistical, Training, and Educational Duties (30%) Maintains continuing education requirements and keeps abreast of the latest developments in the field of cytotechnology/cytology by reviewing current publications. Maintains current CAP certification requirements by successfully completing the CAP PAP Examination annually. Order supplies and maintain adequate inventory for uninterrupted service in the Cytology area. Develops and tests quality control methods using statistical data where indicated. Advises providers, ward and clinic personnel on proper specimen collection techniques. Communicates with providers, ward and clinic personnel when specimens are improperly submitted. Maintains cytology slide files and handles slide request in-house and from outside facilities according to established procedures. Prepares and maintains the cytology chemical inventory and reports them to the P&LMS Safety Officer. Specimen Preparation and Staining (25%) Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of the full range of nonroutine and specialized procedures/techniques using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Makes professional decisions on the appropriate method of collection and handling of specimens including selecting the appropriate portion of the specimen for processing and the type of preparation method to be used. Resolves discrepancies and calls wards/clinics/providers as needed. Reviews information provided on the requisition sheet and specimen container and determines if additional data is required prior to logging the specimen into the VISTA computer system. Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions. Performs the duties of cytology specimen preparation and staining. Cleans and disinfects cytology areas and equipment. Assists the clinician at bedside with the preparation of fine needle biopsy slides to determine immediate evaluation for adequacy. Carefully monitors the processing and quality of all preparations. Conducts quality control checks on stains and reagents, making changes when necessary. Adjusts, maintains, or repairs all cytology equipment. Determines need for repair or replacement of equipment. Verifies proper instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks as necessary. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Disposes of biohazard material and biological specimens after determining proper disposal protocol. Prepares fixatives, reagents, etc., as needed for specimen handling and cytology preparatory work. Gross Tissue Exam Duties (20%) Performs histopathology duties to include accessioning in specimens, filing slides or general assistance when necessary. Report tissue description in the patient medical record. Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.

Work Schedule :

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Cytotechnologist works on a regular basis through the appropriate clinical area(s). Also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed. Subject to change based on needs of the facility

Telework :

not available

Virtual:

This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 01684-F and 01685-

F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives :

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

English Language Proficiency:

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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.

Grade Determinations :

Cytotechnologist, GS-7: none beyond the basic requirements Cytotechnologist, GS-9: Experience . The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-7) that is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following

KSAs:

Ability to review 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. Ability to make a preliminary cytodiagnosis to issue and verify the final diagnosis for gynecologic specimens interpreted to be negative. Knowledge of processes and procedures to prepare all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunochemistry testing, as well as filtration methods, preparation, fixation, and staining of slides. Ability to instruct others on the proper collection methods and transportation of specimens, and toe determine acceptability of patient samples for 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. Ability to perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures. Skill in prioritizing workflow/specimen triage Preferred experience: Strong knowledge of cellular morphology, diagnostic criteria, and standardized testing methods. Candidates should have hands-on experience preparing and evaluating gynecologic and non-gynecologic specimens, applying special stains, and accurately identifying precancerous, cancerous, and infectious cellular changes. The ability to work independently, manage workflow in a cytology section, and maintain high-quality laboratory practices is strongly desired.

References:

VA Handbook 5005/126, Part II Appendix G61, Cytotechnologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 for 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. 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 . Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Area of consideration

• Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration
• current permanent Veterans Health Care Systems of the Ozarks employees including satellites; 2nd Area of Consideration
• current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees; 3rd Area of Consideration
• current permanent all federal employees; 4th Area of Consideration
• all US citizens.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members :

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Required Documents To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Professional Certification Resume Transcript Special Note for

Applications:

To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

Resume Requirement:

Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Resume more than 2 pages Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume SF-15 SF-50/

Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets

• Veterans
• Job Seekers
• Veterans' Preference .

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education . Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. 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 07/13/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12998966 . 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. Agency contact information Krista Smith Phone 501-274-6635 Email Krista.

Smith4@va.gov Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US Next steps Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE:

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full

• and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors"

• by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? Fayetteville is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and is an outdoor paradise with hiking, golf, fishing, rafting, boating, and four distinct seasons. Fayetteville is the home of the University of Arkansas "Razorbacks" which provides the community with a college atmosphere. The area is home to several fortune 500 businesses such as Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, and J. B. Hunt Trucking, who have been generous benefactors for the community and the arts. In the neighboring community of Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum has been labeled as one the top 10 must see places in America. Fayetteville has outstanding public schools, excellent parks and trail system and is ranked as 4th "best college sports town" and 8th for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Fayetteville is ranked as 7th best city in America to work, live and play by Kiplinger. The cost of living is 90% of the national average with affordable housing available in all price ranges. Agency contact information Krista Smith Phone 501-274-6635 Email Krista.

Smith4@va.gov Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US Visit our careers page Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https:

//www.va.gov/jobs/