Histopathology Technologist

Summary

The Histopathology Technologist position is located at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System hospital, within the Anatomic Pathology section of the laboratory.

At the advanced level, the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/23/2024 to 05/07/2024

• Salary

$74,050 - $96,263 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Las Vegas, NV 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0601 General Health Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSW-12395916-24-RJ

• Control number

788152900

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens and current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

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Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the GS-11 Histopathology Technologist include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs routine histology procedures including but not limited to accessioning, grossing, tissue processing, cutting and H&E staining of surgical, biopsy and autopsy specimens and also prepares cytology non-GYN and GYN specimens.

• The incumbent must be able to assist in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite.

• Assist pathologist with frozen sections or prepares and cuts tissue specimens for frozen sections for rapid diagnosis and interpretation of tissue sections during surgery, and assists during fine needle aspiration procedures when necessary or requested.

• Prepares reagents for special staining, histochemical or immunohistochemical procedures and obtains and prepares control tissues.

• Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty.

• Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed and team priorities, goals, needs and achievements are coordinated with management.

• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis, communicating with the biomedical engineering department as necessary for maintenance.

• Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in preparation of the most difficult specimens.

• Applies professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

• Introduces new tests including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing, record keeping, and documentation.

• Utilize information technology to perform tasks related to histotechnology.

• Troubleshoot a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues.

• Works with leadership to develop and monitor laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators, maintains a record keeping system and plans, implements, and coordinates preventive maintenance of all instrument.

• Identifies and documents suboptimal testing, process and procedures taking corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples.

• Organize, coordinate, and prioritize work assignments.

• Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies, such as The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAHO) and College of American Pathologists (CAP), OSHA.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm (Tour of Duty may vary)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1.United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

2.English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

3.Education: Individuals must meet one of the requirements below:

• Successful completion of a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, that included a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a histopathology technologist, such as, but not limited to clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. OR
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both). OR
• Successful completion of two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, with a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the position of histopathology technologist, such as clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, premedical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy.

4.Certification: Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam:

• Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). OR
• One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation, embedding, microtomy, processing, and staining in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) laboratory.

Loss of Certification: Employees who fail to maintain the required certification must be removed from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

Grandfathering Provision: 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 Technologist, GS-11

• Education and Experience: Must meet one of the following:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; OR

• Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; OR

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate KSAs (a)-(f) and additional KSAs based on the specific duties assigned:

• (a) Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests.

• (b) Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis.

• (c) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

• (d) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample.

• (e) Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments, both individual and team related.

• (f) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.

• Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines from organizations such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission (TJC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation.

• Skill in planning and administering an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards.

• Skill in maintaining and troubleshooting computers and laboratory system instrumentation.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/118, PART II, APPENDIX G65, Dated November 25, 2019

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.