Pathology Specialist

Description:

The Pathology Specialist manages the operations of the Surgical Pathology and Autopsy services, and representing these services in a variety of interactions with clinical physicians and residents, nursing personnel, hospital administrative and other personnel, and personnel from outside facilities (other VAMCs, VA outpatient clinics, VA central office, College of American Pathologists, other community hospitals, HCFA, etc.)

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/30/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning, designing, and carrying out programs, projects, studies, or other work independently. Interpret specialized tests and laboratory findings. Familiar with permanent and frozen section techniques and standard histochemical stains. Assist in the diagnostic evaluation of surgical pathology, autopsy, and occasionally cytology samples, work which directly affects the ability of the service to meet the needs of good quality patient care in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Practice of complex Surgical Pathology and Autopsy procedures to provide pathologic diagnoses of a variety of disease processes. Establishes priorities in specimen processing according to laboratory guidelines and clinical considerations.

• Attention to Detail
• Pathology
• Pathophysiology
• Quality Assurance
• Technical Competence

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires long period of standing while performing gross examinations and teaching others to do so, recurring bending over when performing frozen sections and autopsies, occasional lifting of heavy items (bodies), and above average dexterity in dissecting specimens and cutting frozen sections.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .