Summary

The histopathology technician services in the Anatomic Pathology subspecialty area of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service by performing routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures - quality control and assurance procedures - operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation - troubleshooting - and overall principles of performance improvement.

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 Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5.a. - this part
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 Determination GS-05: Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Grade Determination GS-06: Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs
• (a) Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures - principles of performance improvement - reagent management - inventory supply systems - and document control systems
• (c) Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot instrumentation
• (d) Ability to plan - organize - set priorities - work as a team member - and effectively complete assignments
• (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of Microtomy 2 years Embedding tissues 1 year IHC/ Histochemical stains processing 1 year Frozen tissue sections microtomy/ processing 1 year Gross-room processing assistant Detail /organizational Skills 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- GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The histopathology technician rotates with other histopathology technicians on a regular basis through above -mentioned areas
• The duties and responsibilities of the Histopathology technician- Full Performance Level include but are not limited to the following: - Retrieves and accessions Surgical - Cytology - and Autopsy Specimens
• - Assists in Gross-room procedures as assigned
• - Disposition of pathology materials
• - Maintains the integrity of patient Identification
• - Prepares sections of human tissues for immediate examination - using rapid tissue processing and frozen techniques
• - Operates computerized/ automated laboratory equipment
• - Performs chemical changes for the assurance of quality performance of equipment
• - Performs Microtomy - prepares slides - cuts - and stains extremely delicate specimens
• - Performs Histochemical/Immunohistochemistry Special Stains for sensitive diagnostic purposes
• - Ensures that sufficient supply of reagents - supplies - and controls are available
• - Monitors specimens - equipment and the environment for contamination
• - Maintains and controls laboratory records according to established protocols and procedures
• - Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the position
• Work Schedule: M-F 0600-1430 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized