Summary

The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) is looking for a Histopathology Technician (Advanced) for the Tucson VA Medical Center.

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
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Experience & Education
• Experience
• One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) or health technician
• OR - Education
• Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as biological science or chemistry
• OR - Successful completion of two academic years of study above high school that included at least 24 semester hours in Chemistry and/or in appropriate fields of biological science and successful completion of a 12-month program of education and training in histopathology or cytotechnology
• OR - Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• Examples are listed below: a) Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as biological science - surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position
• or an associate's degree in a health care related field
• b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians - hospital corpsmen - medical service specialists - or histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces
• Please make sure that your experience is evident in your resume
• Please make sure your resume contains hours worked per week for each work experience entry - if it is full time or part-time - all federal jobs must have the GS level included on the resume - or else your resume will be considered incomplete - and you will be considered "ineligible" for the position
• Grade Determinations: GS-07 (Histopathology Technician) Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6): Uses independent judgment to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results
• Carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision
• This includes routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures - quality control and assurance procedures - operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation - troubleshooting - and principles of performance improvement
• Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks - frozen sections - bone marrows - autopsies - and fine-needle biopsies
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical - cytology - and autopsy specimens by processing - embedding tissue - cutting - staining (including immunohistochemistry) - and coverslipping
• KSAs: Skill in applying professional - complex anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• Ability to provide technical oversight of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement exhibiting competence in managing reagent and supply inventories and document control systems
• Ability to validate methodologies - operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems
• Assignment
• Histopathology technicians at this level generally have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight - and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently
• The incumbent will have the 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
• The technician will be responsible for troubleshooting issues with instruments and resolving problems
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Current working knowledge of histopathology processes and workflows
• References: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-.7 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The histopathology technicians rotate on a regular basis through the areas in which they have been trained and are competent
• The incumbent also works weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need
• The duties and responsibilities of the GS-7 histopathology technician includes all duties at the entry and full performance level positions - plus the following: Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• Performs a broad range of histological and histochemical procedures
• In addition - performs advanced and complex histological - histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Recognizes and communicates pre-defined critical results affecting patient care
• Develops - modifies - or adapts new staining methods or techniques - improving existing methods as necessary for routine histo-technology procedures
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Troubleshoots issues with laboratory instruments and resolves problems
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Follows College of American Pathologist (CAP) accreditation regulations and applicable Federal - State and Local laws - guidelines and regulations
• Assists with CAP checklist self-evaluation
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and suggests solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding histological slide/test results - staining methodology and specific factors - which influence histologic test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up staining selection or procedures
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the histology laboratory
• Assists with instruction and training of new employees - residents and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Performs additional duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0800-1630 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