Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

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.

Major Duties:

• Independently performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including processing tasks of the histopathology technology occupation involving anatomic pathology to include surgical pathology autopsy pathology and addition performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures recognizes deviations from expected results analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen.
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical cytology and autopsy specimens by processing embedding tissue cutting staining and cover slipping.
• Examines slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements. - Identifies problems in processing and staining procedures and makes necessary adjustments as needed for diagnostic purposes.
• Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment. Uses identifies malfunctions repairs and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment. - Diagnoses and troubleshoots deviations in histochemical and immuno-histochemical procedures due to instrument malfunction.
• Performs and documents quality control quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement as applicable.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory
• Identifies discrepancies solves problems and presents solutions
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers patients and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying histopathology and cytopathology principles.
• Process tissue specimens obtained by either surgery or autopsy by paraffin section technique which involves: fixation dehydration clearing infiltration embedding blocking section cutting mounting staining cover slipping and labeling.
• Employs frozen section technique in connection with rapid diagnosis of tissue specimens while surgery is in progress.
• Maintains adequate supplies of chemical solutions stains fixatives paraffin glassware containers rubber gloves labels and other necessary supplies.
• Receives specimens using appropriate techniques maintaining proper identification. Evaluates received specimens for correct specimen identification/ site source etc. according to established SOP.
• Accessions of all types of surgical pathology and cytology specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS)
• Prepares specimen cassettes always maintaining proper identification.
• Records temperatures as required - Files paraffin blocks and glass slides according to the SOP.
• Perform routine stains such as H and E Masson Trichome PAS GMS etc.
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical cytology and autopsy specimens by processing embedding tissue cutting staining and cover slipping.

Will be required to perform all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 13343F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• 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
(1) Experience. One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicants 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
(2) Education (a) Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelors 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

(3) 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 associates 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:

Histopathology Technician GS-7 (Advanced)

(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(2) 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.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

(a) Skill in applying professional complex anatomic pathology principles practices concepts and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
(b) 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.
(c) Ability to validate methodologies operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.
(d) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.

References: VA Handbook 5005 App G55

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

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).