Job opening: Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

Salary: $54 061 - 70 280 per year

Published at: Dec 12 2024

Company: Veterans Health Administration

Employment Type: Full-time

The VA Ann Arbor Health Systems is a 1B medical care facility providing regional Anatomic Pathology Services for multiple VISN 10 facilities: John Dingell Medical Center, Battle Creek VAMC, and Aleda Lutz VA Medical Center and all associated CBOCS. The Histopathology Technician must function in complex high volume integrated Anatomic Pathology Department.

Duties

In addition to equivalent experience, knowledge, skill and ability of one year of fully successful performance as Histopathology Technician (GS6), the incumbent must demonstrate the following: 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 management 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. Other duties include, but are not limited to the following: Determine pre-analytical requirements for complex specialized tissue targeted for advanced studies in Surgical Pathology and Cytology. Ability to calculate cold ischemic time on possible Molecular and Immunohistochemistry testing for which it is required. (Her2Neu). Independently identify Anatomic Pathology specimens which may be undergo Molecular (PDL- 1, etc...) testing in the future. Determine optimal fixation time and processing schedule using technical judgement factors require estimated size and density of specimen, penetration rate of fixative and previous use of processing reagents. Instruct staff on processing. Consult with clinicians and their support staff as to proper procurement, fixation, submission and labeling of Anatomic Pathology specimens for diagnosis. Independently analyze and evaluate tests ordered and test results; work with clinicians and pathologist as need to reach resolution and provide the best possible patient care. Coordinate complex molecular testing methods from multiples requestors. Ensure all preanalytical requirements have been met; select and request the appropriate test to be performed; work with reference laboratories to ensure cost containment. Perform complex embedding of surgical and cytology specimens. Example: Exhibit technical knowledge to grossly section temporal artery specimens at time of embedding to exhibit lumen; orientate multiple minute biopsy specimens on the same plane; embedding descemet membrane cell blocks; re-embedding specimens, grossly evaluate the specimen and recognize area of possible abnormality and embed to provide microscopic observation of abnormal areas. Ability to independently identify and orientate tissue to exhibit diagnostic tissue components and orientation placed indicator markings. Provide mentoring to junior technicians in development of these skills and monitor their results. Perform complex microtomy of FFPE blocks. Exhibit technical ability to obtain multiple sections on very fine core biopsies while taking great precautions not to exhaust the block; grossly evaluate specimen and section to exhibit microscopic observation of abnormal areas. Ability to independently identify and orientate tissue to exhibit diagnostic tissue components and orientation placed indicator markings. Provide mentoring to junior technicians in development of these skills and monitor their results. Utilize comprehensive knowledge to problems solve issues with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Papanicolau staining of diagnostic material by manual and automated methods. Analyze chemical, physical, environmental and quality control aspects. Ability to provide the technical acuity to make minor adjustments. Provide mentoring to junior technicians in development of these skills and monitor their results. Actively manage reagent supply inventories and document control systems. Work in conjunction with GIP. Provide mentoring to junior technicians in development of these skills and monitor their results. Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of complex Histology, Cytology, Intraoperative Procedures, Telepathology, Molecular Testing and Immunohistochemistry principles, practices, concepts, and theories to provide technical mentoring to junior technicians on identifying, documentation and corrections of complex testing malfunctions. Work independently and with Pathologist and other team members to develop, modify and adapt complex new staining methods or techniques which distinctively exhibit desired sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. Anatomic Pathology technical knowledge to develop and orchestrate validation studies on multiple routine and complex instruments, testing materials, methods and techniques. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91841-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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. 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, 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: (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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA 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: Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced)- Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. While work is partially sedentary, there are demands for standing, walking, bending at times. May also require travel by auto or plane. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005. Part II, Appendix G55. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

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/.