Department Of Veterans Affairs San Diego , CA 92140
Posted 1 week ago
Summary
The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) is looking for a Lead Histopathology Technician.
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Overview
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
06/26/2024 to 07/08/2024
$74,360 - $96,666 per year
GS 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
San Diego, CA 1 vacancy
Remote job
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Monday
Friday 5:00AM - 1:30PM PST
Excepted
8
0646 Pathology Technician
No
Other
Yes
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Suitability/Fitness
CBSX-12455927-24-JL
797111800
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This job is open to
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to the Public.
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Duties
Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988.
Prepares, directs, and approves work schedules and assign tasks for timely completion of duties.
Provides direction and daily oversight to the daily operations. Monitors the methods and protocols to maintain continuous work flow and quality within the anatomic pathology department.
Ensures resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs.
Calibrates, operates and maintains instruments and equipment used in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry and special stains.
Provide guidance and instruction to histopathology technicians and other students/staff 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 and document training to new employees and staff on a recurring basis.
Provides input to supervisor on employee performance and training needs.
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 disapproval of leave requests.
Follows College of American Pathologist (CAP) accreditation regulations and applicable Federal, State and Local laws, guidelines and regulations.
Participates in drafting/writing SOP's and QA reports when assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
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:
Experience and Education
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).
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:
Grade Determinations
Histopathology Technician, GS-8 (Lead) (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
Preferred Experience:
AS Degree with Science-Related Background and Skill, Knowledge, and Experience in the following:
Clinical Histology Lab
Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Specimens
Ability to perform Embedding, Microtomy, and Accessioning
Ability to perform Gross Dissection of biopsies
Perform Special Stains and IHC Stains
Experience in a Leadership role in an Anatomic Pathology lab
Experience with validation of new instruments and methodologies
References: VA Handbook 5005/102 Part II Appendix G55
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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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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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
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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.
Department Of Veterans Affairs