Career Center

Summary

The incumbent services as a Histopathology Technologist within the Surgical Pathology Section of the Anatomic Pathology Department at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. - VA Medical Center - Memphis - Tennessee and provides research and clinical diagnostic support pertaining to the use of specialized histopathology diagnostic techniques - principally histochemistry - immunohistochemistry and enzyme cytochemistry.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: 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 - 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 - 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
• (Transcript Required) 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: 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
• (Certification Required) 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Histopathology Technologist GS-9 ( Full Performance Level) Experience
• Must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• This experience may include but is not limited to
• responsibility of performing difficult specialized histological - histochemical - and immunohistochemical procedures - as well as developing - modifying - or adapting new staining methods or techniques - improving existing methods as necessary for routine histotechnology procedures
• (Resume Required) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity
• 2
• 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
• 3
• Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample
• 4
• Ability to organize - coordinate - and prioritize simultaneous work assignments
• both individual and team related
• 5
• Skill in applying professional - anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• 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
• Preferred Experience: One year of Histology and Microscopically Oriented Histographic Surgery experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 4 hours)
• standing (up to 4 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 2 hours)
• intermittent - but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens
• ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise
• working closely with others
• high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy
• emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations
• ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required.

Duties

• The Surgical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service provides expertise and diagnostic services in the field of surgical pathology for patients at the VA Memphis
• The incumbent services as a Histopathology Technologist within the Surgical Pathology Section of the Anatomic Pathology Department
• The incumbent provides research and clinical diagnostic support pertaining to the use of specialized histopathology diagnostic techniques - principally histochemistry - immunohistochemistry and enzyme cytochemistry The duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Performs as a technical specialist in providing histologic preparations required to discern the nature and extent of disease in surgical and autopsy specimens
• Responsible for identification and accessioning of blocks and unstained slides and the maintenance of stored diagnostic materials - workload and specimen tracking records - and quality control records in accordance with professional - institutional - state and federal regulations and guidelines
• Proper preparation - handling and processing of numerous types of clinical and research samples
• Provides clinical diagnostic support by using specialized histopathology diagnostic techniques - principally histochemistry - immunohistochemistry and enzyme cytochemistry
• Assists Pathologists in testing new procedures as they pertain to diagnostic and experimental activities
• Evaluates and introduces new techniques relevant to specialized diagnostic laboratory for pathology
• Reviews new pertinent medical literature and aids in the preparation of results for publication and presentation at scientific meetings
• Responds to intraoperative consultation requests - performing specialized procedures including frozen tissue sectioning and staining - preparation of cytologic media and handling of specimens for specialized procedures including flow cytometry - electron microscopy and cytogenetic studies
• Responsible for the operations - and maintenance of numerous forms of automated and specialized equipment used in the surgical pathology laboratories and morgue
• Maintains quality control records and is able to perform routine maintenance and interim repairs to avoid delays or loss of valuable tissue specimens resulting from malfunctioning equipment
• Keeps detailed logs and flow records of specimens being processed through the laboratory and monitors the results of specialized diagnostic procedures
• Assists supervisor and other professional staff in identifying quality control issues - suggesting and assisting in implementing procedural changes necessary to expedite and streamline specimen processing
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 0600am - 2:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 50279-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized