Career Center

The incumbent has full supervisory responsibility for smaller, less complex laboratories, or laboratories having no GS11 positions subordinate to the supervisor. Employees in this assignment perform the full range of supervisory duties for one or more sections of the laboratory, including responsibility for assignment of work; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions; and identification of continuing education and training needs. 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 bachelor's 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 master's 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, premedical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. Certification. Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of supervisory experience in a histology section and at least 2 consecutive years of experience with processing, sectioning and staining tissue blocks. Proficient knowledge of use, troubleshooting, and maintenance of special and immunohistochemical staining techniques, both manual and automated are also preferred. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Histopathology Technologist, GS-11. In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following: (a) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; OR, (b) Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; OR, (c) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology, or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Assessments (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 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, in addition to educating and training the laboratory staff. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to interact with employees, team leaders, and managers. (f) Ability to plan, organize, set short-term and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. References: VA Handbook 5005/118, Part II, Appendix G65, November 25, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted) clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without eye strain. ["Duties of the Supervisory Histopathology Technologist include, but are not limited to the following: Supervises technical and administrative staff associated with histopathology and autopsy service Utilize specialized techniques for the examination and handling of tissue, cell buttons, and fine needle biopsies Prepares technically adequate slides of tissue, and slides/Thin prep/cell block of cytology specimens As needed, will travel to operating room, radiology suite, clinician office, or to other similar area, to prepare specimens for processing, and assist clinician in obtaining specimens Serves as the point of contact or technical expert and adviser to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of histopathology Communicates with various hospital clinics, wards, and operating room suites, as well as VA Medical Centers and CBOCs to provide guidance regarding the acceptability of specimens and appropriate submission conditions Perform both routine and complex histological procedures, adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory. Perform difficult and complex tasks on surgical, autopsied, hematopoietic and cytological specimens Accessions and logs histological, cytologic specimens, utilizing both computer and manual back-up worksheets. Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification Process all surgical pathology specimens through the complex steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, microtomy, staining and cover slipping Ascertain the need for and perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as nail preps and bone decalcifications Operates all anatomic pathology lab equipment such as automated stainers, centrifuges, cassette labelers, thin-prep cytology processors, cytospin, microtomes and cryostats Ensures equipment is in optimal working condition and addresses workflow needs Performs daily functions of the histology laboratory including accessioning, processing, embedding, and cutting of surgical and accessioning, processing and applicable screening of cytology specimens as well as proper cleaning and decontamination of grossing stations and surgical instruments Cuts and stains frozen sections Perform gross examination and dictation of biopsy and simple anatomical specimens Monitors specimen reagents, equipment and assists in decontamination and safe handling and disposal of chemicals Validate and perform immunohistochemistry stains, and other special pathology stains on tissues and cell blocks Validates methodologies, operates anatomic pathology laboratory equipment, and perform complex instrument troubleshooting Assist the pathologist as needed during post mortem examinations (autopsies) within the scope of level of expertise Assists in viewings of deceased, and release of deceased from morgue Maintains the cleanliness, organization, and safety of the autopsy suite Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines Assist in inventory and ordering of supplies and reagents for the section, keeping sufficient inventory to avoid emergent orders but not outdating reagents. Aid in selection of equipment and recommends purchase/lease Track patient slide/block distribution to reference lab and consultants, and monitor and secure slides/blocks Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988 Assist in reviewing and writing procedures for the department in accordance with Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists, and other regulatory agencies standards Provides technical oversight in the Quality Improvement and Quality Control programs in Histopathology Ongoing preparation/compliance as it pertains to accrediting agency directives and their related surveys/inspections, and participation in CAP cytology proficiency testing, if applicable Performs competency assessment of staff, annual and interim performance evaluations, orientation to service and training of staff, and addresses staff disciplinary actions Serves as back-up to the cytotechnologist; assists in the collection of fine needle aspirates performed with or without radiologic guidance; determines the correct fixative and layer preparation technique; makes independent technical decisions to determine the appropriate amount and assess the quality of cellular material to be placed on the slide for the pathologist to render the correct diagnosis Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 586-00435F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]