Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is to provide histopathology technician services in the Anatomic Pathology subspecialty area of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service by performing routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures, quality control and assurance procedures, operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation, troubleshooting, and overall principles of performance improvement. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: The histopathology technician rotates with other histopathology technicians on a regular basis through above -mentioned areas. The duties and responsibilities of the Histopathology technician (Advanced)- Above Full Performance Level include but are not limited to the following: Retrieves and accessions Surgical, Cytology, and Autopsy Specimens. Assists in Gross-room procedures as assigned. Disposition of pathology materials. Leads/Assists as Autopsy Assistant-documentation, preparation, evisceration, and closure. Serves as Acting Supervisor of Anatomical Pathology in supervisor absence. Maintains the integrity of patient Identification. Prepares sections of human tissues for immediate examination, using rapid tissue processing and frozen techniques. Operates computerized/ automated laboratory equipment. Performs chemical changes for the assurance of quality performance of equipment. Performs Microtomy, prepares slides, cuts, and stains extremely delicate specimens. Performs Histochemical/Immunohistochemistry Special Stains for sensitive diagnostic purposes. Assists the Pathologist in performance of Fine needle aspirations (FNAs) when necessary. Ensures that sufficient supply of reagents, supplies, and controls are available. Monitors specimens, equipment and the environment for contamination. Maintains and controls laboratory records according to established protocols and procedures. Performs procedures pertaining to filing/storage and/or disposal of gross tissue, slides, and tissue/cell blocks which exceeds the VA regulations requirements. Employee has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and P&LMS policy. Employee is responsible for (1) protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. Incumbent will use tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors and volunteers. The incumbent must report to work on time, as scheduled, and demonstrate strict adherence to established dress code standards; appearance is expected to be neat. clean, and professional always. Annual educational and training requirements must be satisfactorily completed. Assigned duties must be consistently completed within designated times. Approved identification is required to be properly displayed while on duty. Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service in-service and staff meetings are required to be attended when scheduled. The mission and vision of CTVHCS as well as the mission statement of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service must be clearly understood and demonstrated by the incumbent. He/she is required to be knowledgeable about the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service's performance improvement projects/initiatives and participate in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service performance improvement activities when assigned. Compliance with all organizational policies, including but not limited to ethical business practices, Cyber Security, HIPPA. and Privacy Act is required. Conformance to the organization's infection control program through use of proper hand-washing techniques, personal protective equipment, universal precautions, etc. is expected and will be monitored. Compliance with Center and service policies that deal with coordination of leave, coverage during periods of absence, work priorities, and daily schedules is expected. Work Schedule: Primary tour: Monday-Friday 6:00AM - 2:45PM, but may be assigned to 7:00AM - 3:45PM or 7:30AM-4:15PM to cover workload. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Experience and 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. Certification. None 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Assignment. The histopathology technician uses independent judgment to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results. The histopathology technician carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision. This includes routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures, quality control and assurance procedures, operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation, troubleshooting, and principles of performance improvement. The incumbent utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies. The technician prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining (including immunohistochemistry), and coverslipping. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. 1. Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. 2. 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. 3. Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting. 4. Ability to use independent technical judgement to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of Microtomy Two (2) years Embedding tissues One (1) year IHC/ Histochemical stains processing One (1) year Frozen tissue sections microtomy/ processing One (1) year Gross-room processing assistant Detail /organizational Skills References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/102, PART II, APPENDIX G55. Histopathology Technician, GS-0646. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Pushing; Use of fingers; Both hand required; Standing; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Ability to distinguish basic colors Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.