The Cytotechnologist of this facility position is assigned to the Cytopathology Section in the Pathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services at VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan Puerto Rico, under the supervision of the Supervisory Cytotechnologist/Anatomic Pathology Supervisor.
The cytotechnologist acts as a professional resource, troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifies suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The cytotechnologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks.
Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for receiving, processing and preparing all specimens for cytologic diagnosis, special stains, immunocytochemistry, and molecular tests. Must possess enough knowledge to discriminate among many different Cytopreparatory techniques to obtain the most advantageous cytologic preparation in diverse specimens received, to render an adequate microscopic evaluation to provide an accurate cytologic diagnosis.
Process and monitor each sample independently as required by the nature of the specimen, patient's clinical history and /or physician request. This includes the use of complex laboratory equipment including, but not limited to centrifuge, cytocentrifuge, liquid based cytology processor (Thin-prep), slide Stainer, automated cell block processor (Cellient), special stain/immunohistochemistry automated system and Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) equipment.
Responsible for microscopic evaluation of all cytology specimens including but not limited to: oral cytology, head and neck cytology, respiratory cytology, gastrointestinal and urinary tract cytology, gynecologic cytology, central nervous system cytology, hematologic cytology, needle aspiration biopsies and tissue imprints/scraping from fresh specimens received for frozen section.
Reviews clinical data of patients and microscopically evaluates gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology preparations by light microscopy for the presence or absence of cellular patterns, presence of micro-organisms, inflammatory reactions, endocrinopathies, benign/reactive changes, pre-malignant changes, neoplasia, and cellular responses to therapeutic agents, among others, and has the responsibility to render a preliminary cytologic diagnosis prior to the final evaluation by the pathologist.
Attends fine needle aspiration procedures and assists the physician preparing the sample properly and provides rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for specimen adequacy assessment and/or preliminary cytologic findings. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:60991F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/.
claneicia.rose@va.gov · 501-257-1056
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $74678 – $97087/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-04.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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