Cytotechnologist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Kings (NY); On-site; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs—New York Harbor Healthcare System is seeking a Cytotechnologist to perform highly complex diagnostic testing in cytopathology and collaborate with pathologists. This federal position requires handling Pap smears and other specimens, maintaining QA, and participating in teaching and cross-training of staff.

Work schedule is Monday–Friday 8:00am–4:30pm; telework is not available. Salary ranges from $96,809 to $125,858 per year, with standard federal benefits.

Qualifications

• Education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for federal qualifications.
• For foreign education, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcript to receive credit.

Responsibilities

• Report microscopic interpretation of Pap smears for cervical cancer screening.
• Provide preliminary interpretation of specimens from other sites; collaborate with pathologists.
• Independently perform and monitor smear prep, staining, and quality control per SOPs.
• Review cases with staff and residents; teach students and others as needed.
• Maintain quality assurance and participate in laboratory QA/QC programs.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The position is located in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the New York Harbor Healthcare System. Cytotechnologists are certified laboratory professionals performing highly complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in the laboratory specialty of cytopathology.

Key Responsibilities

Cytotechnologists are solely responsible for: reporting the microscopic interpretation of normal pap smear tests used to detect cervical cancer; providing preliminary interpretation of specimens from other body sites; and collaborating with pathologists to diagnose benign and infectious processes, precancerous lesions, and malignant diseases.

He or She facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to: The cytotechnologist independently performs and monitors smear preparation, slide fixation, cellblock preparation, monolayer filtration processing, and staining.

If a discrepancy is identified with these processes, the cytotechnologist will troubleshoot and take corrective action. Prioritizes, prepares, and processes all specimens for cytodiagnostic and immunohistechemical testing in compliance with the guidelines of the regulatory agencies. Selects appropriate procedures and prepares specimens to ensure high quality preservation and morphology.

The cytotechnologist independently reviews 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. Attends clinical Fine Needle Aspirations to collect/prepare specimens and determine adequacy for diagnostic.

Prepares slides and uses both conventional and special rapid processing methods. Screens from 80 to 100 slides per day identifying cells and marking abnormal cells for the pathologists. Suggest diagnosis and consultations with the pathologist or unusual cases. Review cases with staff physicians, dental and medical residents. Teaches medical students and others who are interested.

Participates in QMPI activities by maintaining a file of cytology results to compare with the histopathology findings, diagnosis and correlates results. Cross-trains Histopathology technicians in the preparation of slides. Performs routine maintenance of equipment using standard operating procedures. Performs a full range of specialized tasks, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing data according to the laboratory quality management program.

Reports diagnostics, concise microscopic conclusion, and diagnosis to pathologist in accepted cytopathologic terminology. Maintain effective quality assurance by demonstrating through tabulating and correlating all histologic, cytologic and clinical information for GYN and non-GYN specimens. Conducts quality control procedures on reagents and products and maintains accurate test results that are professionally accurate daily.

Keeps abreast on new developments by reading technical and professional journals, attending professional meetings and workshops and then incorporates these methos for use in the laboratory. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 14540F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/.

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 $96809 – $125858/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-02.

Who is eligible to apply?

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