Cytotechnologist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 78,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Cytotechnologist to plan, direct, and perform cytology procedures, handling diverse specimens for microscopic evaluation.

The incumbent will serve as the subject matter expert for cytology, ensuring compliance with licensing and accrediting requirements. The role focuses on evaluating procedures, preparing reagents, and supervising specialized testing while maintaining quality control and patient data correlation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
• Completion of an ASCP-accredited cytotechnology program.
• Foreign education may be considered with equivalency documents.

Responsibilities

• Independently performs and monitors cytology procedures according to protocols.
• Evaluate specimens and prepare reagents and reference materials.
• Select and monitor non-routine and specialized test procedures including smear/cell block preparation.
• Troubleshoot instruments and correlate results with patient data to verify accuracy.
• Plan and carry out testing steps and manage deviations per established practices.
• Prioritize and prepare specimens for cytological diagnostic procedures, including FNA.

Skills

Cytology procedures

FNA preparation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

ASCP-accredited Cytotechnology program

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent serves as a Cytotechnologist with the duties of planning, directing, and carrying out functions for the cytology area. This includes a wide variety of technical procedures to prepare diversified cytologic specimens for microscopic evaluation. In addition, the incumbent serves as subject matter expert for all cytology procedures and examinations.

Key Responsibilities

Independently performs and monitors processes such as but not limited too; Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requests new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare reagents and primary reference material.

Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures such as smear preparation, cell block preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and defines testing problems and evaluates methods for solution. Prioritizes, processes, and prepares specimens for cytological diagnostic procedures, including FNA.

Plans and carries out the successive steps of testing procedures and handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in accordance with established protocols, previous training or accepted laboratory practices. Recognizes conditions which cause erroneous results; troubleshoots complex instruments and correlates test results with patient data (history, physical findings, medications, and other laboratory data) to verify results.

Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adapts appropriate methods and testing. Apply laws, policies, and precedents, regulatory, licensing and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 06:30am - 3:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 95416-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements & Education

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. 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $77977 – $101375/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.