Summary

This Histopathology Technician position is located in the VISN 12 Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service (P&LMS) at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center - 5000 5th Ave - Hines - IL 60141.

Qualifications

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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 Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Experience and 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 - 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: 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
• 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
• Grade Requirements: GS-05: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-06: In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met
• Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which is directly related to the position to be filled
• Experience typically includes - but is not limited to: Retrieving and accessioning surgical - cytology - and autopsy specimens
• Enter and track workload data and disposition of pathology materials and documents electronically
• Perform pre and post-analytical duties
• Assist in preparation of autopsy protocols as assigned
• Knowledge of basic of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Maintain the integrity of patient identification throughout all processes
• Knowledge - Skills - Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures - principles of performance improvement - reagent management - inventory supply systems - and document control systems
• Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot instrumentation
• Ability to plan - organize - set priorities - work as a team member - and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results
• Preferred Experience: Working in an Anatomic Pathology setting
• 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing tasks of the histopathology technician occupation involving anatomic pathology - i.e
• surgical pathology - autopsy pathology and cytopathology
• Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment
• Uses - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and participates in quality assurance activities
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the workplace
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees 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 histopathology and cytopathology principles
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical - cytology - and autopsy specimens by processing - embedding tissue - cutting - staining and coverslipping
• Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks - frozen sections - bone marrows - autopsies - and fine-needle biopsies
• Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite - as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Monday - Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.