This functional statement is for a non-supervisory Advanced Level Histopathology Technician position in Laboratory of the Anatomic Pathology section of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. 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.

Duties

Functions include but not limited to: Maintaining specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning and through the entire specimen processing procedure. Responsible and accountable for testing surgical tissues, body fluids, and non-gyn specimen through the entire process, because of the nature and source the of specimens, additional specimen cannot be retrieved, hence, the technician must avoid any technical or manual mistakes always. Assistant to the Anatomic Pathologist by performing grossing of biopsy specimens. Advanced skills in specimen dissection and expert knowledge of proper orientation and appropriate tissue selection are required. Performs a variety of extremely difficult, delicate and complex tissue including the preparation of frozen sections for rapid diagnosis of tissue during surgery. Performs a wide variety of special stains such as H&E, PAS, AFB, Mucicarmine, Giemsa, Gram Stain, Iron, Sliver Stains such as Reticulum, Bielschowsky using automatic or manual methodologies and is able to control the staining procedures used in microscopicdifferentiation to achieve precise staining results. Performs, interprets quality, maintains the integrity of special procedures such as lmmunohistochemistry and Thin Prep for diagnostic purposes using automated IHC Staining System and Thin Prep 2000 System respectively. Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed. Assists the pathologist during FNAs at the CAT Scan, patient's bedside when necessary or requested. Prepares and cuts tissue specimens for frozen sections for rapid diagnosis and interpretation of tissue sections during surgery. Should have the capacity to work under pressure with no loss of quality of test performance. Should be able to maintain the integrity of the specimen throughout the process. Performs computer functions including: specimen accessioning, data entry and retrieval of information. Also, should be able to print slide labels, worksheets and log book. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance. Responsibility also includes the inventory of reagents, receiving, labelling and recording them for inventory purposes. Evaluation of equipment and procedural problems, reporting problems not immediately resolved to the Supervisor or biomedical repair shop for further action. Maintains Safety Data Sheet (SDS) inventory, ensuring all SDS sheets are provided to the Industrial Hygienist for uploading into database. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40183-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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.(a) 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(b) 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. 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. 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: GS-7 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (a) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. (b) 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. (c) Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.(d) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/102, PART II APPENDIX G55 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. II-G55-2

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Robley Rex VA Medical Center 800 Zorn Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 US
• Name: Crystal Noriega
• Phone: (512) 317-1310
• Email: [email protected]