The Lead Histopathology Technician position is located within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Anatomic Pathology Section. Incumbent will provide services at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities of the Lead Histopathology Technician include, but are not limited to: The incumbent develops and recommends policies and procedure regarding Anatomic Pathology (Histology). Provides authoritative advice and consultation in the Histology section as they apply to the Histology section. Implements and maintains Histology functions and workload recording considering compliance principles. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals. Serves as the local expert for the Histology section. Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to Histology section and performs audits as needed. Provides consultation and training of personnel on Histology functions. The Histology section lead evaluates Histology section activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Assists with approved research projects, initiated by a pathologist or researcher. Projects may cover several fields of investigation related to histopathology. Records and tabulates data for required reports, such as quality assurance monitors. Interact with other medical center personnel including professional, paraprofessional and support personnel for the most effective result for patients. Establishes, modifies and reports quality of the pre-analytical processes to the Quality Improvement Committee (QIC-PLMS). Initiates corrective action for any performance measures underperforming. Work Schedule: Various tours available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20623F 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy. Experience and/or 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. Grandfathering Provision. All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Lead Histopathology Technician, GS-8 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). (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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (a) Ability to use independent judgment and apply comprehensive technical histopathology knowledge to solve complex problems concerning a broad range of tests, procedures, and protocols. (b) Ability to perform procedural technical review and provide written and practical application training and instructions to laboratory personnel in all areas of histology. (c) Ability to manage staffing requirements, plan and organize workload and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. (d) Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements that govern laboratory operations in order to insure that work practices, documentation, and reporting are consistent with all governing standards and regulations. (e) Skill in communicating with individuals in order to obtain the desired effect, provide technical guidance and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G47

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 CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Jenniffer Marrero Diaz
• Phone: 407-751-8603
• Email: [email protected]