Histopathology Technologist

Duties include but not limited to:

• Maintaining specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning and through the entire specimen processing procedure.
• Troubleshoot technical problems when needed.
• Assist the pathologist by grossing routine/surgical biopsy specimens.
• Advanced skills in specimen dissection and knowledge of proper orientation and appropriate tissue selection are required.
• Embeds the processed tissues into wax molds ensuring the proper orientation of the various types of tissue fragments within the finished tissue block.
• Thorough knowledge and application of a wide variety of fixatives to include 10%buffered neutral Formalin Cytolyt Micheles medium Glutaraldehyde RPMI-1640 etc. the incumbent should have the skills to process tissue (with the proper fixatives).
• Performs routine histological techniques such as microtomy and tissue sectioning at the right thickness or microns and tissue H&E staining.
• Performs a wide variety of special stains such as PAS AFB Mucicarmine Giemsa Gram Stain Iron Sliver Stains such as Reticulum Bielschowsky using automatic or manual methodologies and immunochistochemistry stains using automated stainer and also capable of controlling the staining procedures used in microscopic differentiation to achieve precise staining results.
• Microscopically evaluates work and make determinations to either accept or reject slides on the basis of proper staining reactions before giving them to the pathologist for clinical diagnosis.
• Prepares and processes Non-Gyn (Body Fluids) and Fine Needle Aspirate specimens in Thin Prep automated system and stains according to lab procedures.
• Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite as needed.
• Assists the pathologist during MPU IR procedures FNAs at the patients bedside when requested.
• Organizes & prioritizes workload (biopsies from routine surgicals) example: rush biopsies and responsible for the operation and maintenance of all Histology/Cytology equipment; Daily quality control and preventive maintenance and trouble shoot instruments and record the corrective actions.
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance.
• Performs computer functions including specimen accessioning data entry and retrieval of information. Also should be able to print slide labels worksheets and logbook.
• Operates and maintains histology and cytology equipment such as tissue processors cryostats microtomy slide printers H&E stainer special stain system IHC stain system embedding module ThinPrep automated system and other instruments involved in histology and cytology work.
• Responsible for inventory of reagents receiving labeling and recording them for inventory purposes.
• Performs other ancillary duties involving tissue disposal daily maintenance of bench work maintenance of gross room and morgue and other duties as assigned.
• Maintains Safety Data Sheet (SDS) inventory ensuring all SDS sheets are provided to the Industrial Hygienist for uploading into database.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 40116F
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.
• 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.
• 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 bachelors 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 masters 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 pre-medical medical lab technology chemistry immunology physiology anatomy.
• Foreign Education: To be creditable education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.
• 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.
• Exception for Non-Board Certified: Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as board eligible who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor lab manager or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. This exception only applies at the entry level GS-7.
• For grade levels at or above the full performance level GS-9 the candidate must have HTL certification. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases non-board-certified histopathology technologists must meet one of the ASCP histotechnologist eligibility routes at the date of their appointment and must actively pursue certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment the supervisor will provide the histopathology technologist with the written requirement to obtain certification the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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-9:
Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.
Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter- connectivity.
Knowledge of histopathology techniques chemistry anatomy and physiology principles theories concepts and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests.
Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patients sample.
Ability to organize coordinate and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.
Skill in applying professional anatomic pathology principles practices concepts and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

Preferred Experience: Experience assisting Pathologists performing autopsies is preferred.

Assignment: At the full performance level the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests. Utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology chemistry anatomy and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests identifying suboptimal issues and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work as necessary in times of short staffing or heavy workload and by performing simultaneous tasks. The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles practices concepts and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods such as immunohistochemical histochemical and frozen section techniques.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 2 hours); intermittent but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to distinguish basis colors; near vision correctable at 13 to 16; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to working in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations; ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required.