The incumbent serves as a Histopathology Technician in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. HTs at this level perform both routine and specialized work in anatomic pathology operations. Apply professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

Duties

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. Duties include but not limited to: Independently maintains, troubleshoots, and operates automated and semi-automated instrumentation in a histology/immunohistochemistry laboratory within the Anatomic Pathology section and function as a resource for the Pathologist. Accession, process, prepare, cut and stain tissues from surgical procedures, bone marrows, frozen sections, and cytological specimens. Advise physicians about optimum fixation/immunofixation techniques to be employed for a given type of specimen and disease process. Accession specimens ensuring specimen integrity, adequacy of documentation and identification, process in order of clinical urgency and ensure specimens are turned around within required timeframes. Prepares a wide variety of tissue specimens from all parts of the human body. Prepares various chemical solutions and stains adjusting concentrations and pH as determined by good laboratory practice. Perform microtomy for frozen sections with use of cryostat sectioning which requires many complex and delicate processes. Makes serial sections of anatomical tissues requiring precise complex positioning of the tissue and microtome using in depth knowledge of human tissues and organs. Prepares tissues for a wide variety of special procedures and complex special stains, including immunohistochemical processes. Perform quality control checks of instrument function on a regular basis and keep documents denoting malfunctions and corrective actions taken. Specialized training and certification by the manufacturer of the instruments may be required of the incumbent. Facilitate enhanced communication between surgical pathology, hematology/oncology, dermatology, GI, and surgical services or any other physicians or clinics needing immediate contact with the histology laboratory. Assist in the development, review, and/or update of technical procedures in the Anatomic Pathology section of the laboratory in accordance with regulatory agency and VA guidelines/standards. Organizes/maintains tissue block, specimen, and slide storage. Ability to evaluate and solve problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. 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. 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-06, Histopathology Technician Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure. Knowledge of anatomy and positioning. Knowledge of all patient safety procedures. Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment. Ability to learn basic computer functions. GS-07, Histopathology Technician (Advanced) Experience. Must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. 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. Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems. Preferred Experience: None. 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.

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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Trena O. Melvin
• Email: [email protected]