This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Line (PLMS) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. The employee serves as a Medical Technician (Histology) working in the Histology laboratory performing a variety of clinical and administrative functions.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Following established procedures for collecting and processing biological specimens for analysis. Recognizing variations in specimen and procedures that might render results invalid. Recognizing factors that affect preparation, staining, measurements and results and taking appropriate action according to predetermined protocols. Assisting Pathologists and residents in performing autopsies and in the gross cutting room where specimens are dissected and submitted for processing. Photographing medical specimens using a digital camera and maintaining a large photographic file inventory. Performing routine quality control practices and maintaining accurate records in the Autopsy Suite and Histology laboratory. Maintaining and controlling laboratory facilities and equipment. Recognizing equipment malfunctions and independently performing limited troubleshooting and function checks. Performing data entry of daily workload into the computer. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:30am to 3:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-6 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. ~AND~ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this Medical Technician (Histology) position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic, and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. Additional specialized experience includes following established procedures for collecting and processing biological specimens for analysis; recognizing factors that affect preparation, staining, measurements and results; documenting and delivery of the prepared slides to the Pathologists; assisting with autopsies and in the gross cutting room. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed one-half year (9 semester hours) of graduate level education in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.) ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience, as described above, to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-6 level. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE AND COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and ManagementCommunicationFlexibilityPlanning and EvaluatingSelf-Management IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, walking, bending, getting up and down numerous times, and using a computer keyboard. Finger dexterity and hand/eye coordination required to manipulate a variety of laboratory devices such as computerized instruments and computer terminals. May lift or otherwise assists other personnel in positioning items under/on top of laboratory counters or in instrument cabinets such as reagent and supply items, some of which can weigh more than 45 pounds. May also be required to lift and position a body on the Autopsy table and fill 5-gallon carboys with chemical reagents. May involve prolonged periods of standing, walking, pushing, and reaching. Must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and the ability to operate laboratory equipment, computers and other equipment. Must wear personal protective equipment or film badges as required for the designated work area. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. The nature of the work involves considerable and continuing pressure on the individual to adjust to constantly changing priorities and the need to make frequent decisions. Must be mentally alert and emotionally stable and able to professionally handle interdepartmental/organizational conflict. In the laboratory, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]