The Histopathology Technologist serves within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Line with Minneapolis VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. At the advanced level, the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Candidates must be a United States citizen. Education. Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: 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, pre- medical, 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. 1. Candidates must currently possess the 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: (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR, (b) 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. Grandfathering Provision. All histopathology technologists employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, who perform the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard (11/25/2019), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1) Histopathology technologists who do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in a supervisory or managerial position. (2) Histopathology technologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or receive a new appointment on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Histopathology technologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If histopathology technologists, who are grandfathered under this provision, leave the occupation then those employees lose grandfathered protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the histopathology technologist occupation in this series. English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE REQUIREMENTS Histopathology Technologist, GS-11 Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following: (a)One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; or (b)Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; or (c)A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate KSAs: (a)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. (b)Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis. (c)Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. (d)Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample. (e)Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments, both individual and team related. (f)Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity. (i)Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines from organizations such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission (TJC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation. 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: Able to alternate between standing and sitting multiple times per day, requires other physical functions including ability to bend, squat, twist, turn, push, pull, reach, and lift items of up to 20 lbs.
NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Such as molecular/DNA testing. Supports VA's participation in programs including APOLLO (Applied Proteogenomics Organizational Learning and Outcomes) and VABIO (VA Biorepository) amongst other national VA initiatives. Coordinates with pathology to determine the amount of tissue that can be utilized for biobanking purposes without impacting pathology. Collect, store, and ship biospecimens (fresh, frozen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), etc.) from patients participating in VA Biorepository Program. Responsible for coordinating and reporting send out testing within the Anatomic Pathology section of the laboratory. Select and perform non-routine and specialized test procedures. Recognize and able to react to indicators of malfunction. Performs routine histology procedures. Uses professional skills in applying complex anatomic pathology principles, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques including fluorescence in situ hybridization staining and enumeration. Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the FISH Laboratory. Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations in the FISH Laboratory to ensure acceptable levels of performance including quality control and proficiency program activities for the FISH laboratory. Responsible for inventory management ensuring the FISH laboratory has all the necessary supplies. Develops and modifies methods, procedures, and techniques, manages document control, and appropriate record retention. Operate, verify, and maintain correct instrument operation for all equipment in the Laboratory using established procedures and quality control checks in accordance with College of American Pathologists, Joint Commission and VHA guidelines. Assures the calibration and preventive maintenance of Laboratory equipment is performed. Prepare reagents and control materials. Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products, and maintain proper records for quality control reports. Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel to perform stains. Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, Joint Commission, and OSHA. Complies with requirements of all VA oversight groups such as OIG, VA National Enforcement Office, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Daytime hours; No weekends/holidays Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized