The Lead Histopathology Technician works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PLM) Service of the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) performing a variety of duties which consist of significant scope, complexity, and administrative independence within the histopathology laboratory. Independently plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment in accordance with established protocols or accepted laboratory practices.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The Lead Histopathology Technician works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PLM) Service of the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) performing a variety of duties which consist of significant scope, complexity, and administrative independence within the histopathology laboratory. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more difficult, complex, or unique tests requiring special knowledge, e.g., immunohistochemistry stains, special stains, and molecular pathology. Advises PLM leadership on various aspects of the specialized testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Provides direction to daily operations and assumes responsibility for integrating and monitoring the standard adherence to methods and protocols to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the unit. Ensures resources and equipment are in optimal working condition to address workflow needs; calibrate, operate, and maintain instruments and equipment used in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry, and special stains; provides guidance and instruction; adjusts work assignments due to absences or changes in priorities; resolves simple informal complaints of employees and patients, referring the more difficult problems to the supervisor. These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. The incumbent has a wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. 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. Duties and tasks include, but are not limited, to the following: - Provides authoritative advice and consultation for difficult or complex tests such as, but not limited to, molecular/DNA testing, immunohistochemistry staining, genetic testing, and special staining. - Have a working knowledge of all areas of the pathology department to include instrumentation and grossing. - Manages personnel in the department and arranges coverage in all areas during unexpected absences. - Assumes operational management authority for all areas of responsibility in the absence of the supervisor. - Performs a broad range of histological and histochemical procedures. In addition, performs advanced and complex histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Recognizes and communicates pre-defined critical results affecting patient care. - Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation. - Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area. - Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. - Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed. - Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists. - Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. - Applies laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. - Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program. - Performs other related work as required or requested by PLM management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Retirement: Federal Retirement Systems Insurance: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB); Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Histopathology Technician (Lead) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. (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, 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. Certification. None Grandfathering Provision. All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Lead Histopathology Technician - GS-08: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). For Reference GS-7 grade level experience/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. Assignment. Lead Histopathology technicians at this level perform duties which consist of a significant scope, complexity and administrative independence. The Lead provides direction to the daily operations and assumes responsibility for integrating and monitoring the standard adherence to methods and protocols to maintain continuous work flow and quality within the unit. Duties include: prepare, direct, and approve work schedules and assign tasks for timely completion of duties; ensure resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs; calibrate, operate, and maintain instruments and equipment used in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry, and special stains; provides guidance and instruction to Histopathology Technicians on a broad range of specific tasks and job techniques; monitors work in progress often performing spot checks to ensure protocols are being followed; reviews completed work to ensure guidelines are met regarding work sequences, procedures, and methods; provides on-the-job training to new employees; provides cross-training to staff; provides input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees; adjusts work assignments due to absences or changes in priorities; resolves simple informal complaints of employees and patients, referring the more difficult problems to the supervisor; recommends approval and/or disapproval of leave requests. 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to use independent judgment and apply comprehensive technical histopathology knowledge to solve complex problems concerning a broad range of tests, procedures, and protocols. (b) Ability to perform procedural technical review and provide written and practical application training and instructions to laboratory personnel in all areas of histology. (c) Ability to manage staffing requirements, plan and organize workload and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. (d) Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements that govern laboratory operations in order to insure that work practices, documentation, and reporting are consistent with all governing standards and regulations. (e) Skill in communicating with individuals in order to obtain the desired effect, provide technical guidance and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations. Preferred Experience: ASCP HT/HTL certification; QIHC certification preferred Five-year work experience as a Histopathology Technician in a laboratory setting Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation Experience in communicating, consulting, and interacting with other members of the healthcare team and patients utilizing excellent customer service References: VA Handbook 5005/102, Part II. Appendix G55 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying, (15-44 pound)s; Straight pulling, pulling hand-over-hand, pushing (up to 15 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hand required; Walking/standing (4-8 hours); Repeated bending (2-4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Far- 20/50 in one eye; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Fine motor control of hands; Emotional/Mental Stability.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]