The Advanced Histopathology Technician position is located within the Department of Veteran Affairs at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service.

Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to: Performs specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies. Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining, and coverslipping. Works independently and is able to manage the entire histology department alone. Responsible for technical oversight and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. Troubleshoots issues with instruments and resolving problems. Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing tasks of the histopathology technician occupation involving anatomic pathology, i.e., surgical pathology, autopsy pathology and cytopathology. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Responsible for embedding tissues of all sizes in the proper medium and manner for sectioning. Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment. Uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying histopathology and cytopathology principles. Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen. Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and coverslipping. Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for diagnostic evaluation considering physiologic processes and requirements Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions. Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine needle biopsies. Examines slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data; ensures discrepancies are identified and attended to. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time. Monday through Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced) 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: 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: Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as biological science or chemistry; 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced): Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/102 Part II Appendix G55. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Joseph Hannan
• Phone: 304-268-9384
• Email: [email protected]