The Pathology Specialist (Pathologist Assistant) serves in the Anatomic Pathology (AP) section of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicines Services (PALMS) at the LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, and at the Dermatology clinic locations within the VA Ann Arbor Heathcare System.

Duties

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Surgical pathology (50%): Responsible for managing all daily Surgical Pathology functions under the supervision of the Pathologist. Works independently to perform these highly complex functions, or in collaboration with pathology residents, technician(s), and technologist(s). Have thorough understanding of the gross appearance of pathologic processes in a wide variety of patient samples allowing him/her to comfortably adapt traditional methods to handle unique cases containing unknown abnormalities. The accuracy of the services rendered is expected to be high given the incumbent's extensive training and expertise. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens, performing or requesting specialized tests including histochemical and immunohistochemical stains and cytometry, and interpreting the results, evaluating and implementing new equipment, photography of gross specimens and maintenance of collections of gross photographs, tissue blocks and slides, investigation and resolution of problems related to Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology, perform renal biopsy adequacy evaluation during Radiology procedures, performs duties in the lower GS level including color mapping, embedding with precise orientation, cryostat sectioning, and staining of all types of Mohs specimens under the direction of the Mohs surgeon, and any other task assigned by management. Surgical Pathology Program Management/Teaching (30%): Responsible for maintaining regulatory compliance related to his/her duties daily. Reviews regulatory criteria, ensures all procedures and protocols are maintained up to date with regulatory criteria, prepares work areas for inspection, and participates in the inspection process as required by his/her supervisor. Plays a central role in the education and training of residents in pathology, other medical specialties, and medical students, regarding the practice of Surgical Pathology Grossing and Autopsy. Instruction is provided at the bench and through discussions of relevant topics. Teaches other health care workers including technicians, technologists, nurses, and administrative personnel, about Anatomic Pathology Grossing and Autopsy. Develops or participates in the development of Anatomic Pathology Grossing related protocols. Participates in the orientation and training of new employees in Anatomic Pathology Grossing and Autopsy. Autopsy (10%): Will perform autopsies in rotation with residents and senior staff, under the supervision of a Pathologist. This will include inspection of the permission form, review of the medical record, preparation of external and internal descriptions, sectioning, ordering of special studies (e.g., cultures, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, electron microscopy), description of microscopic slides, correlation of the gross and microscopic pathology with the patient's clinical presentation, preparation of Provisional Anatomic Diagnosis (PAD) and Final Anatomic Diagnosis (FAD) reports and photography of gross specimens. S/he will participate in the maintenance of a teaching collection of gross photographs and wet tissue museum specimens. Integration of new initiatives and technological advancements (10%): Participates in development and implementation of methods in all areas of anatomic pathology relevant to Grossing and Autopsy and contributes ideas for improvements in laboratory functions. The incumbent coordinates the integration of new methodologies into the Grossing and Autopsy laboratory and assists other employees in gaining familiarity with the new techniques and procedures. Performs other duties assigned per Management discretion. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Pathology Specialist/PD93059A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/30/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Note: You must submit a copy of your most recent personnel action/SF50. Additionally, An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Interchange Agreement: Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Incumbent is fully knowledgeable about gross anatomy and gross pathology. S/he can recognize reliably pathologic abnormalities in a wide variety of gross specimens. The incumbent's familiarity with microscopic pathology and gross examination and sectioning procedures allows him/her to adapt these procedures to best illustrate and document the pathologic processes and their extent in the microscopic slides. The incumbent is familiar with permanent and frozen section techniques and standard histochemical and immunohistochemical stains. Incumbent has a professional knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties in one or more specialty area or functions, and a high level of skill in applying this knowledge in solving very complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical ThinkingAttention to DetailBiologyCompliance InspectionDiagnostic Medical Testing 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires long period of standing while performing gross examinations and teaching others to do so, recurring bending over when performing frozen sections and autopsies, occasional lifting of heavy items (bodies), and above average dexterity in dissecting specimens and cutting frozen sections. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Jessica Kidd
• Phone: 734-596-3177
• Email: [email protected]