Summary

This Lead Histopathology Technologist position is within the Pathology and Laboratory Service at the White River Junction - Vermont location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

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 Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education or Education: -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 - -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 - -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
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials - and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• Certification: Candidates must currently possess their histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
• The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam: -Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
• OR - -One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation - embedding - microtomy - processing - and staining in a histopathology (clinical - veterinary - industry - or research) laboratory
• Loss of Certification: Employees who fail to maintain the required certification must be removed from the histopathology technologist - GS-0601 occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above - the following experience criteria must be met: GS-11 Lead Histopathology Technologist: Education or Experience: At least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled such example include but are not limited to independently performing a full range of routine and specialized tests - utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy and physiology.
• OR Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum
• OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology - or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis
• Knowledge of histopathology techniques - chemistry - anatomy and physiology principles - theories - concepts - and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests
• Skill in applying professional - complex anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
• Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample
• Ability to monitor and make work assignments - balance workload - and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner
• This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Lead Medical Technologist in Pathology & Laboratory Service is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports - analysis of testing methodologies - training - instrumentation and compliance
• Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the Histology section
• Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Performs a wide variety of tests in Histology and Cytology - including complex testing requiring evaluation of abnormal results - and is responsible for independently overseeing all operations in this section including using and maintaining equipment - and implementing and monitoring quality control
• Assists the pathologists in the cutting of surgicals - frozen sections - and autopsies
• Processes specimens using equipment - instruments - or techniques to prepare them for specific analysis - controls physical conditions - responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state-of-the-art specimen is maintained
• Responsible for keeping departmental policy and procedure manuals updated and for writing new procedures as needed
• The quality control development - instrument set-up and maintenance - and method protocol are responsibilities of this position as assigned
• Responsible for handling hazardous wastes in accordance with RCRA regulations
• Prepares reagents and controls - sets up and calibrates instruments - performs and calculates results for a variety of tests in all sections
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Provides coverage of routine days - holidays - weekends - evenings - etc. - as scheduled
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F04687 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay
• Narrative responses to the KSAs may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.