Supervisory Histopathology Technologist

The major duties of the Supervisory Histopathology Technologist include:

• Operates verifies and maintains correct instrument operation for all equipment in the histology and cytology laboratory using established procedures and quality control checks in accordance with College of American Pathologists Joint Commission and VHA guidelines.
• Support and advise CLIA Technical Director (Service Chief AP Section Chief or other designee) in areas of anatomical pathology quality control/assurance records control proficiency testing inspection and accreditation to all levels of the organization.
• Operates maintains and troubleshoots instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis. Plans implements and coordinates preventive maintenance of all instruments collaborating with the Biomedical Service any instrument malfunctions.
• Responsible for validating modifying or adapting new staining methods or techniques or improving existing methods as necessary for routine histopathology technology procedures. Properly documents all validation procedures and obtains approval of Laboratory Medical Director or AP Technical Director prior to implementation.
• Establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and initiates corrective action. Prepares monthly QA/QM data for section consistent with VA NEO and accreditation agency regulations. Generates and executes action plan(s) for metrics requiring such.
• Develops performance standards position descriptions and functional statements.
• Responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget development orientation and competency of assigned staff. Obtains and maintains COR Level 1 and manages section specific contracts as assigned.
• Manages inventory supplies and reagents and monitors expenditures in the section. Evaluates existing tests for cost-benefit and recommends sending out low volume high cost or labor-intensive testing as indicated. Justifies new instrumentation and methodologies.
• Manages document control for assigned section(s) per VA regulation and accrediting agency (e.g. CAP JC etc.) requirements.
• Maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Performs advanced procedures and quality control of tissue samples.
• Guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens.
• Acts as a technical resource troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests identifies suboptimal issues and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns.
• Organizes coordinates and prioritizes work assignments. Adjusts staffing levels/assignments or work procedures as deemed necessary.
• Coordinates schedule of autopsy and transfer of bodies to and from other facilities with Decedent Affairs.
• Uses professional skills in applying complex anatomic pathology principles practices concepts and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
• Develops new tests including stain protocol research test protocol setup validation testing and recordkeeping and documentation.
• Selects and performs non-routine and specialized test procedures. Recognizes and reacts to indicators or malfunction.
• Guide and train staff to prepare reagent and control materials. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment reagents and products. Maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Monitor and supervise Cytotechnologist in proper execution and functions.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93541-0

• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment medical 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.

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:
  • (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. (1) 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:
  • (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR (
  • b) 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.
• 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:

Supervisory Histopathology Technologist GS-12

• Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level which is directly related to the position to be filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of Federal and state laws regulations and accrediting/regulatory requirements in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
  • Skill in communicating with individuals in order to obtain the desired effect ensuring compliance with established policies regulations and procedures.
  • Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work performance evaluations selection of staff recommendation of awards advancements and disciplinary actions.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of the laboratory staff.
  • Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in order to deal with employees team leaders and managers.
  • Ability to plan organize set short and/or long-term goals and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including fiscal matters budget execution personnel shortages organizational structure and new technology.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary in nature. It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking standing bending and carrying of relatively light objects. The position may also require stooping reaching lifting pulling and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit