Histopathology Technologist Anatomic Pathology

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing from wet tissue to slide preparation involving anatomic pathology i.e. surgical pathology and autopsy pathology.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for diagnostic evaluation considering physiological processes and requirements.
• Identifies the need for and performs fixation techniques that are non-routine such as lymph node preparations and bone decalcification.
• Performs frozen section preparations.
• Assists with the collection and processing of kidney biopsies.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory.
• Operates the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness required for variety of tissue types and test methods.
• Performs routine and special histochemical stains as requested by the pathologist.
• Performs cross coverage duties in lmmunohistochemistry and assists with specialized testing procedures including FISH and CISH as needed.
• Operates and performs routine maintenance of instruments troubleshoots and resolves problems . Performs quality control and assurance procedures and troubleshoots quality control problems including examining slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
• Files blocks slides and residual tissue and maintain them in accordance with record retention guidelines.
• Packages appropriate records and distributes a variety of send-out requests in accordance with established laboratory procedures.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratorys internship/continuing education program.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Maintains an adequate stock of supplies in the various areas of the laboratory and indicates when supplies are low.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 3:00pm
Telework: not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 57122-A / 59600-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized.

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

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.
English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient inspoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Education. Individuals must meet one of the requirements below:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

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. 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.

• 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 accreditedby the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR
  • One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation embeddingmicrotomy processing and staining in a histopathology (clinical veterinaryindustry or research) laboratory.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Histopathology Technologist GS-7
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

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

Assignment for the GS-7 level. At this level histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor lab manager or qualified individual who can verify technical experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience oreducation above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• (a) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
• (b) 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.
• (c) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patients sample.
• (d) Ability to organize coordinate and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.
• (e) Skill in applying professional anatomic pathology principles practices concepts and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

Preferred Experience:

• Completion of a Histopathology training program.
• Five years of experience as a Histopathology Technologist or Technician.
• Familiar with day-to-day workflow of Anatomic Pathology.

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 in the range of GS-7 to GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves Heavy Lifting (up to 40 lbs.); Heavy Carrying (up to 40 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder (occasional); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (1 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Sitting (up to 6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13 to 16; Hearing (aid permitted).