Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Lead Histopathology Technologist. The Lead Histopathology Technologist will function under Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service.

Qualifications

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)
• Grade Determinations: Lead Histopathology Technologist - GS-11 (1) Education and Experience
• Must meet one of the following: (a) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• or (b) Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum
• or (c) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology - or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• The lead histopathology technologist may lead other histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work
• At this level - the lead histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests - applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy - and physiology
• Must be able to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis
• Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens
• The lead histopathology technologist must be skilled in applying professional - complex anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research - test protocol setup - validation testing - record keeping - and documentation
• Researches - develops - tests - optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains - immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols - including - but not limited to - new antibodies - probes - detection protocols/kits - new lots and concentrated antibody titrations
• Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues
• The lead histopathology technologist identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples
• Monitors and makes work assignments - provides input on performance - resolves daily workplace issues - and maintains efficient workflow
• Assignments at this level include - but are not limited to: assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility
• conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work
• providing guidance to staff members - to include changes in policies and procedures
• distributing and balancing workload
• orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees
• and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis
• (b) Knowledge of histopathology techniques - chemistry - anatomy and physiology principles - theories - concepts - and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests
• (c) Skill in applying professional - complex anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• (d) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample
• (e) Ability to monitor and make work assignments - balance workload - and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner
• This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work
• 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)
• 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-11
• Physical Requirements: The work is performed in the anatomic pathology section of the laboratory within the Cleveland VAMC
• Specimens are considered potentially hazardous - and biohazard precautions must be followed
• Use of toxic or caustic materials during procedures may be required
• Personal protective equipment must be used
• Safety regulations are followed as appropriate for each procedure and/or potential safety hazards must be reported to the Supervisory Histology Technologist and/or facility Safety Officer for investigation and follow-up
• The work requires regular physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of sitting - standing - handling of supplies and equipment - and bending/lifting of items up to 25lbs
• In addition - manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures.

Duties

• The purpose of this position is to perform highly specialized tasks which require special knowledge as well as being the point of contact or technical expert and advisor to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of histopathology
• Independently performs both routine and complex specialized histology techniques and procedures/tests
• Performance of specialized decontamination - maintenance and troubleshooting procedures on complex Histopathology equipment
• Primary function includes performing advanced complex techniques on surgical - autopsied - hematopoietic and cytological specimens - utilizing specialized techniques for the examination and handling a wide variety of tissue specimens for routine histological processing - including cytology material - bone marrow specimens - and needle biopsies while preparing technically adequate slides of tissue sections by processing tissue blocks - embedding tissue - cutting - staining and cover slipping
• Research - develop - tests - optimizes - and validate complex histochemical stains - immunohistochemistry (IHC) processes and/or in- situ hybridization (ISH) protocols
• Additionally - the incumbent operates computerized laboratory equipment that fixes - dehydrates - and infiltrates tissue with wax to be preserved for diagnosis by Pathologists
• The Incumbent sets and monitors workflow for all bench staff members ensuring that all essential tasks are performed orderly and efficiently to in the accomplishment of the unit's goals
• May lead other histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work
• At this level - the lead histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests - applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy - and physiology
• Must be able to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis
• Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens
• The lead histopathology technologist must be skilled in applying professional - complex anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research - 8 test protocol setup - validation testing - record keeping - and documentation
• Researches - develops - tests - optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains - immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols - including - but not limited to - new antibodies - probes - detection protocols/kits - new lots and concentrated antibody titrations
• Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues
• The lead histopathology technologist identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples
• Monitors and makes work assignments - provides input on performance - resolves daily workplace issues - and maintains efficient workflow
• Assignments at this level include - but are not limited to: assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility
• conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work
• providing guidance to staff members - to include changes in policies and procedures
• distributing and balancing workload
• orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees
• and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 94433-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized