The Histopathology Technologist position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory service line within the Providence VA Medical Center. The position is full time/40 hours a week.

Duties

The Histopathology Technologist serves in a developmental position practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. They utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. Duties include but not limited to: GS-07: Prepares all stains and chemical solutions with a competent, practical knowledge of chemistry. This includes alteration and standardization of pH and concentration of the solutions (percent, molar and/or normal), reagents, buffers, and stains, using pH meters, analytical balances, and mixers. Since many of these reagents and solutions are toxic, caustic, or flammable (e.g., silver solutions, formaldehyde, acids, alcohols). Performs complex immunohistochemical stains and procedures including, but not limited to, special pretreatment procedures, antigen retrieval, enzymatic digestion, antibody diluting, and titers, immunofluorescence, enzyme immunohistochemistry and frozen section microtomy. Troubleshoots and corrects problems with these procedures and maintains records and QA data as necessary. Performs SNOMED code searches of the VISTA database to identify blocks and tissues from cases to be used as positive controls for staining procedures. The incumbent keeps cut sections from such cases to test reactivity of stains and examines the control slides to decide whether the slides are acceptable for diagnostic evaluation. Recognizes origin and type of tissues and properly orients and cuts small or complex specimens, choosing appropriate microtome knives and section thickness. Sharpens microtome knives. Is responsible for preparation, labeling and storage of routine fixative solutions, pap kits and special fixatives for electron microscopy and other special solutions, including decalcifying agents, iodine solutions and TTC stain for determining myocardial infarct. GS-09: Receives and/or obtains specimens using appropriate techniques, maintaining proper identification. Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens. Prepares specimens for analysis according to the specifications of the procedure. Handles all types of human tissue which may include receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Provides 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). Accessions and prepares all cytological specimens including sputa, body secretions, fluids, ThinPreps and fine needle aspirates. The incumbent exercises all required safety guidelines and works with great care in handling the specimens and uses personal protective equipment including face shields, goggles, masks, gloves, aprons, and laboratory coats. Assists the Pathologist in preparing frozen tissue sections for special immunological studies which includes selecting, freezing, cutting (microtomy) and staining tissue for rush/stat (Frozen Section) exam by the Pathologist. Employs the cryostat. Investigation and resolution of problems related to surgical pathology. Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel to perform stains. Maintains QA files of blocks and slides needed to perform special stains in the laboratory. Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday-Friday; rotating 6:00a-2:30p, 7:00a-3:30p, and 8:00a-4:30p. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized. Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: LEAF 9999. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

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: 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, 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, 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. Certification. 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: Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR, 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. 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. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, 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. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, non-board-certified histopathology technologists must meet one of the ASCP histotechnologist eligibility routes at the date of their appointment and must actively pursue certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the histopathology technologist with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment. 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 GS-07: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. Preferred Experience: Handles all types of human tissue which may include receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Experience staining tissue sections using special stains as required, but not limited to Acid Fast, Alcian Blue, Congo Red, Fontana Masson, Giemsa, Gram, Iron, Melanin, Methenamine Silver, Mucicarmine, PAS-Schiff and Trichrome. Incumbent should know which stain to employ to demonstrate particular tissue elements and properties and be able to interpret positive controls used for these procedures. 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 involves regular and recurring risks and discomforts associated with working in a clinic. This work requires physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of standing and some bending and lifting as required 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 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 VA Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Courtney Kreshak
• Phone: 4012737100
• Email: [email protected]