Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans health Administration (VHA) - Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Hampton VA Medical Center - Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service - Hampton - VA and associated CBOCs. The position is responsible for specimen processing and staining in the Histology section of the laboratory.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 meet one of the requirements below: (1) Successful completion of a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university - leading to a bachelor's or higher degree - that included a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a histopathology technologist - such as - but not limited to clinical biology - microbiology - physiology - pre-medical - medical lab technology - chemistry - immunology - physiology - anatomy
• OR - (2) Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both)
• OR - (3) Successful completion of two years of progressively higher level graduate education - leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree - with a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the position of histopathology technologist - such as clinical biology - microbiology - physiology - pre-medical - medical lab technology - chemistry - immunology - physiology - anatomy
• c
• 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
• Certification
• (1) Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
• The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam: (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
• OR - (b) One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation - embedding - microtomy - processing - and staining in a histopathology (clinical - veterinary - industry - or research) laboratory
• Exception for Non-Board Certified
• Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as "board eligible -" who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements - may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor - lab manager - or qualified individual who can verify technical experience
• This exception only applies at the entry level
• For grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must have HTL certification
• Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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)
• IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE - PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
• WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above - the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Histopathology Technologist - GS-7 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• At this level - histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor - lab manager - or qualified individual who can verify technical experience
• Histopathology Technologist - GS-9 Experience
• Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• Assignment
• At the full performance level - the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests
• Utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy and physiology
• The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource - troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests - identifying suboptimal issues - and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns
• The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work - as necessary - in times of short staffing - or heavy workload - and by performing simultaneous tasks
• The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods - such as immunohistochemical - histochemical - and frozen section techniques
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity
• (b) Knowledge of histopathology techniques - chemistry - anatomy and physiology principles - theories - concepts - and methodologies sufficient to process specimens - and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests
• (c) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample
• (d) Ability to organize - coordinate - and prioritize simultaneous work assignments
• both individual and team related
• (e) Skill in applying professional - anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• References: VA Handbook 5005/118 PART II APPENDIX G65 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. 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: The work requires regular and recurrent standing - walking - bending - reaching - and moderate lifting to perform tasks and procedures
• It also requires specific physical characteristics - abilities - and dexterity needed to perform intricate procedures
• The employee may be required to spend long periods of time before a computer screen and using a keyboard.

Duties

• The duties and responsibilities of the histopathology technologist include - but are not limited to the following: The entry level histopathology technologist is expected to develop their skills as a technical resource
• troubleshooting a variety of tests - identify suboptimal issues - and uses independent judgement and resources to resolve concerns
• Develops their skills to ensure goals are met by prioritizing work - as necessary - in times of short staffing - or heavy workload - and by performing simultaneous tasks
• Utilizes and develops specialized techniques for the examination and handling of tissue - cell buttons - and fine needle biopsies.
• As needed - will travel to operating room - radiology suite - clinician office - or to other similar area - to prepare specimens for processing - and assist clinician in obtaining specimens
• Communicates with various hospital clinics - wards - and operating room suites - as well as VA Medical Centers and CBOCs to provide guidance regarding the acceptability of specimens and appropriate submission conditions
• Perform both routine and complex histological procedures - adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory
• Perform difficult and complex tasks on surgical - autopsied - hematopoietic and cytological specimens
• Accessions and logs histological - cytologic specimens - utilizing both computer and manual back-up worksheets
• Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification
• Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission
• Properly identify all specimens
• Verify discrepancies with the provider
• Process all surgical pathology specimens through the complex steps of fixation - dehydration - clearing - infiltration - embedding - microtomy - staining and cover slipping
• Ascertain the need for and perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as nail preps and bone decalcifications
• Examines slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements
• Identifies problems in processing and staining procedures and makes necessary adjustments as needed for diagnostic purposes
• Performs and documents quality control - quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement - as applicable
• Operates all anatomic pathology lab equipment such as automated stainers - cassette and slide labelers - thin-prep cytology processors - cytospin - microtomes and cryostats
• Ensures equipment is in optimal working condition and addresses workflow needs
• Performs daily functions of the histology laboratory including accessioning - processing - embedding - and cutting of surgical and accessioning - processing and applicable screening of cytology specimens as well as proper cleaning and decontamination of grossing stations and surgical instruments
• Performs histological - histochemical - immunoperoxidase (single - double and triple staining) - immunological and cytological procedures accomplished by the laboratory
• Responsibilities include fixation and processing of histological - autopsy - and cytological and staining of histological materials and the preparation and staining of cytological specimens - working with liquid preparation techniques (Thin Prep processing) and direct smears
• The staining encompasses routine Hematoxylin and Eosin - PAP staining - and special staining (microwave staining included) with some histochemical staining
• Cuts and stains frozen sections
• Uses cryostat to cut frozen sections as required for rapid diagnosis in the OR - as required for fat stains - immunofluorescent and other immunological techniques
• Must determine if the proper structures and present in the tissue by a rapid Hematoxylin nd Eosin stain and looking for these with the microscope
• Complete decontamination records
• Performs gross examination and dictation of biopsy and simple anatomical specimens
• Monitors specimen reagents - equipment and assists in decontamination and safe handling and disposal of chemicals
• Performs immunohistochemistry stains - and other special pathology stains on tissues and cell blocks
• Maintains the cleanliness - organization - and safety of the autopsy suite
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Assists in inventory and ordering of supplies and reagents for the section - keeping sufficient inventory to avoid emergent orders but not outdating reagents
• Aid in selection of equipment and recommends purchase/lease
• Track patient slide/block distribution to reference lab and consultants and monitor and secure slides/blocks
• ALL OTHER ASSIGNED DUTIES
• Work Schedule: 08:00am- 16:30pm - Monday -Friday Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.