Summary The incumbent serves as a Histopathology Technician in Montana VA Health Care System, Ft. Harrison site responsible for coverage of all clinical disciplines of Histology and Cytology area of Anatomic pathology section. Required to cover shifts independently as assigned on our five days per week service. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Histology Duties: Technician performs histological techniques such as: fixation, embedding, cutting, and staining in order to prepare tissue slides for final diagnosis by the pathologists. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning through the entire specimen processing procedure. The incumbent performs a variety of extremely difficult, delicate and complex tissue handling procedure such as preparation of frozen sections for rapid diagnosis of tissue during surgery. Prepares/receives specimens: Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider. Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system. The incumbent must be proficient in recognizing tissue from any part of the body and be able to identify the origin and type of tissue. Fixation: Perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as EM, Immunohistochemistry, muscle, and nerve studies, as well as bone decalcification. Understands the unique fixation requirements of each type and size of specimen, and whether or not the specimen must have special treatment before fixation. Processing: Must have an excellent understanding of anatomy, and the difference in each type of tissue, how they will respond to different processing protocols, and to determine the correct processing fit for each individual specimen. Embedding: Due to the wide variety of specimens the lab can receive (from any part of the body) Knowledge of chemistry and the basic anatomy is essential to understanding the correct orientation of tissue in embedding so that imperative tissue is not lost during cutting. Understanding not only normal, but abnormal/diseased tissue is important. Pathology specimens are irretrievable, therefore trouble-shooting must be done prior to many steps performed. Cutting: Incumbent must be able to operate and maintain a microtome, understanding how to perfect the angle, speed, and extra treatments that may be needed (decalcification, softening) and co1Tect temperature are required to produce acceptable sections. Verifying co1Tect embedding techniques, determining the proper manner for appropriate sectioning and thickness, and following the cutting protocol for each type of specimen and stain are essential. Manual and automated coverslipping skills are also required. Routine and special stains: Performs staining of tissue sections including advanced staining techniques through automation and manual methods ( e.g. Papanicolauo, Romanowsky, GMS, PAS, Prussian Blue, Verhoeff Van Giesen elastic). These procedures are often complex, difficult, and non-standardized. Many choices of alternative ways of proceeding are determined through the incumbent' s professional training and experience. Procedures must be adapted to individual variance in specimen and stain perfo1mance. Appropriate fixation, embedding, and cutting techniques are evaluated to obtain the co1Tect specimen section for staining. After each stain, the incumbent accepts or rejects slides based upon the proper staining reactions before submitting to the pathologist for microscopic diagnosis. The principles of each unique stain involve chemical procedures such as pH balance and altering the concentration of chemical solutions. Chemical interaction with microorganisms, certain tissue fibers, and types of cells, as well as physiology of different tissues, all must be understood in order to dete1mine proper staining. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 436-57147-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency - Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part. 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). 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: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced) Experience - One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. 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. Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring standing to perform tests; prolonged sitting while utilizing instrumentation; walking, reaching, stooping and bending to obtain supplies and operate instruments. The incumbent occasionally lifts heavy containers of reagents or supplies. Work Environment The work involves moderate risks or discomforts associated with working in a pathology laboratory with regular and recurrent exposure to hazards such as infectious materials, hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic reagents (e.g. formaldehyde, xylene, acids, bases) and sharp objects (e.g. scalpel blades and microtome knives). The incumbent must use protective clothing and gear such as gloves, face masks, safety goggles, mechanical pipetting devices and biologic safety hoods as indicated by established safety procedures. The incumbent is required to read and follow guidelines stated in P&LMD and medical center safety manuals. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.