The incumbent serves as the Lead Histogrossing technologist in the Histopathology, Cytology, and Autopsy Section of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Principle responsibilities include technical direction to the histopathology laboratory staff (including histology specimen preparation), Immunohistochemistry, grossing room, autopsy room, inventory control, morgue and preparing policies and procedures regarding Histotechnologist work.

Duties

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Lead Histopathology Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Lead lead a team of three Histogrossing technologists under the direction of the Anatomic Pathology (AP) Supervisor in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among the employees in accordance with established workflow, skill level and specialization. Assume responsibility for surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens after they are received in the laboratory, since many tissue, specimens are difficult or impossible to replace. Ensure the identity of specimens is maintained throughout all stages of preparation. Responsible for new procedures and policies regarding Histology lab. Resolve all minor and major specimen accessioning problems, implements procedural changes if necessary, trains and monitors compliance of other laboratory personnel. Responsible for checking on work in progress, review completed work to ensure that supervisor's instruction was followed, and deadlines have been met. Estimate and report on expected time of completion of work and maintain records of work accomplishment and time expended and prepare production reports as requested Incumbent is responsible for the overall accessioning performance of the Histopathology section. Function in a diagnostic and teaching environment with Resident, Fellows and Pathologist's Assistance students, which necessitates keeping up to date with literature on new methods and procedures being published and attending in-service and off-site lectures, workshops, seminar and training sessions in Histopathology and related areas. Ability to make technical decisions involving tissue preparation and staining for light microscopy are made by the incumbent based upon experience and knowledge of the reaction of marker dyes within different types of tissues. Perform and provide technical direction for the grossing, description and preparation of both routine and special tissues including, but not limited to, needle and punch biopsies, bone marrow aspirations, most tissues and tissue biopsies, tissues from autopsies, brain, eye and bone (by fixing and decalcifying when necessary), dehydrating, clearing, infiltrating with paraffin (using manual and automated equipment), embedding in paraffin, cutting thin sections using microtomes, performing routine H&E staining, cover slipping and labeling the slides. Provide technical direction for the preparation and staining of bone marrow aspirate smears. Provide technical guidance to ensure all tissues are properly oriented when embedding them, according to established procedures and depending on the type of specimen being prepared (e.g. shave biopsies on edge; core biopsies to demonstrate the maximum amount of tissue). Train and monitor compliance of histology laboratory personnel in routine histological processing. Prepare, process and stain all types of Cytopathology specimens as necessary. Performs routine procedures on Cytopathology specimens such as fixing, centrifuging, preparing ThinPrep or liquid based preparations, PAP staining and labeling slides. The incumbent exercises great care in handling the specimens and uses personal protective equipment including face shields, masks, gloves, and laboratory coats. Prepare all stains and chemical solutions with a competent, practical knowledge of chemistry. Perform complex immunohistochemical stains and procedures including, but not limited to, special pre-treatment procedures, antigen retrieval, enzymatic digestion, antibody diluting, and titers, immunofluorescence, enzyme immunohistochemistry and frozen section microtomy Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04463 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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, premedical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification:1) Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. 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. 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). Specialized Experience: Lead Histopathology Technologist, GS-11 (1) Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following: (a) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; OR (b) Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; OR (c) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology, or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis. (b) Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests. (c) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. (d) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample. (e) Ability to monitor and make work assignments, balance workload, and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. References: VA Handbook 5005/118 PART II APPENDIX G65. HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0601 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Work Environment: A majority of the work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; The area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. A smaller portion of work is performed in a laboratory environment where safety precaution, such as standard precautions the use of personal protective equipment are required

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 West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Tyshawn Spinks
• Phone: 203-932-5711 X3895
• Email: [email protected]