The position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Philadelphia VA Medical Center (VISN 4), Philadelphia, PA under the Pathology and Laboratory Service. 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 and Immunohistochemistry.

Duties

PROCESSING SURGICAL, CYTOLOGY AND AUTOPSY SPECIMENS: Prepares slides of Immunohistochemistry specimens for examination using the proper laboratory procedures Prepares cuts and stains fresh frozen tissue for immunofluorescent studies Assist with validations of new antibodies Responsible for compliance with regulatory standards Responsible for knowing appropriate fixation techniques for any special studies that may be appropriate Must have knowledge of appropriate studies for specific tumors Stains patient tissues slides with Automated systems and prepares and stains manually for all special stain techniques Assists with validation of test systems for special stains and performs and evaluates required quality control Performs new/lot old lot validations per regulatory requirements Trouble shoots any improper staining. Applies specificity and dilutions for special stain protocols Operates equipment such as microscopes, microtomes, tissue processor, cryostat, embedding center and Immunohistochemical and automated special stainers Calibrates, performs preventive maintenance and records required function checks Perform highly specialized decontamination techniques on special stain instruments May be designated as a Key Operator for equipment/test systems Reports needed repairs to Lead Technologist/Supervisor and notifies Biomedical engineer Relays inventory needs to the Lead Technologists/Supervisor for purchase Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the histopathology laboratory Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample collection, labeling and transport requirements Makes sure two full patient identifiers are on each sample Evaluates, accepts or rejects specimens, using proficiency in recognizing tissues and identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous results or require special handling Makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems Interacts with lead technologist/supervisor and hospital personnel to correct discrepancies FROZEN SECTION LABORATORY COVERAGE: Performs procedures in the frozen section laboratory Orients, cuts and stains any specimens submitted for intra operative consultations, including minute biopsies for rapid diagnosis by the pathologist with no margin for error Prepares quality frozen sections per accrediting agency guidelines to provide rapid diagnosis in surgical cases (intra operative consultations) Identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples MAINTAINS REPORTS, RECORDS AND MATERIALS: Performs established quality control and quality assurance procedure to check the accuracy and validity of work Records information daily Deviations are documented and reported to the lead technologist/supervisor Corrective action is performed and appropriately documented Identifies unusual discrepancies/conditions that may cause erroneous results (i.e. malfunctions, conditions of test performance, reaction systems and/or test procedure used) Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems Daily records temperature charts of refrigerators, water baths, rooms, equipment Maintains digital inventory of supplies and reagents Creates, uses and maintains Access, Excel and vendor databases Performs other duties as needed. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm; Rotating Weekends and Holidays are Required Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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. Language: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the Histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. Exception for Non-Board Certified: Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as "board eligible," who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. This exception only applies at the entry level GS-07. For grade levels at or above the full performance level GS-09, the candidate must have HTL certification. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam: (a) Successful completion of a Histotechnician or Histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR, (b) One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation, embedding, microtomy, processing, and staining in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) laboratory. Education: Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: (1) Successful completion of a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, that included a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a histopathology technologist, such as, but not limited to clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy; OR, (2) Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both); OR, (3) Successful completion of two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, with a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the position of histopathology technologist, such as clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED OR YOU WILL BE FOUND INELIGIBLE 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: Specialized Experience GS-07: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. At this level, histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. Specialized Experience GS-09: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade, which is directly related to the position to be filled. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens, and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related Skill in applying professional, anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques KSAs Must be Demonstrated in Your Resume References: VA Handbook 5005/118 Part II Appendix G65 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: The work is performed in the anatomic pathology section of the laboratory within the Philadelphia 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 activity. Access to Material Safety Data Sheets is provided. Accidents and/or potential safety hazards must be reported to the Supervisory Histology Technologist and/or facility Safety Specialist for investigation and follow-up. The work requires regular physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of standing and some bending and lifting for the handling of supplies and equipment. In addition, manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application

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 Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3900 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
• Name: William Simmons
• Email: [email protected]