This position serves as the point of contact or technical expert and advisor to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of histopathology. Independently performs both routine and complex histological procedures.

Duties

Major duties include: Performs difficult and complex tasks on surgical, autopsied, hematopoietic and cytological specimens; Utilizes specialized techniques for the examination and handling of tissue, cell buttons, bones, marrows and needle biopsies; Prepares technically adequate slides of tissue sections by processing tissue blocks, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and cover slipping. Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the histopathology laboratory. Accessions and labels specimens using two full patient identifiers Cover slips slides choosing the right kind of mounting medium depending on the kind of stain. Performs procedures in the frozen section laboratory. Performs established quality control and quality assurance procedure to check the accuracy and validity of work.??????? Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 04044A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 and Education (1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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. 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). GS-07 Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-06. 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. Preferred Experience: Histology experience in a clinical laboratory. Experience using laboratory equipment such as microtome, tissue embedder, and cryostat. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019. A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required.

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 Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 East Clinton Avenue Fresno, CA 93703 US
• Name: Felicia Buack
• Phone: 925-356-4093
• Email: [email protected]