Lead Histopathology Technician

Description:

The Lead Histopathology Technician position is located within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Anatomic Pathology Section. Incumbent will provide services at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service.

Requirements:

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 Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy.

Experience and/or Education

Experience . One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's 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,

Education

(a) Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's 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,

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 associate's 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.

Grandfathering Provision All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.


Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require light lifting under 15 lbs., light carrying under 15Ibs., the use of fingers and both hands are required. Reaching above the shoulder, walking and standing (4 hrs.), repeated bending (4 hrs.). Exposed to fumes, smoke or gases, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4. Working around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water and works closely with others. Must have the ability to distinguish shades of color, have depth perception, hearing (aid permitted). Continuous sitting up to 8 hrs., occasional work longer than 8 hrs., and ability to work under stress.


GRADE DETERMINATION

Lead Histopathology Technician, GS-8

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7).
(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.

Preferred experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of full-time experience as a Histopathology Technician in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Extensive knowledge of histological techniques, including tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and special staining procedures.

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

a) Ability to use independent judgment and apply comprehensive technical histopathology knowledge to solve complex problems concerning a broad range of tests, procedures, and protocols.
(b) Ability to perform procedural technical review and provide written and practical application training and instructions to laboratory personnel in all areas of histology.
(c) Ability to manage staffing requirements, plan and organize workload and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work.
(d) Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements that govern laboratory operations in order to insure that work practices, documentation, and reporting are consistent with all governing standards and regulations.
(e) Skill in communicating with individuals in order to obtain the desired effect, provide technical guidance, and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

This vacancy is above Full Performance Level (FPL). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.