Histopathology Technologist -Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Process a variety of anatomical tissue and cytological cell samples using manual or automated techniques to prepare slides for pathologist interpretation to provide a diagnosis that allow clinicians to plan appropriate and life-saving treatments for Veterans. The location of the position is Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service - VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) - Dallas - Bonham - and Fort Worth - Texas. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job English language proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Education: Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: (1) 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 - anatomyOR (2) 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 (3) 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 - anatomyCertification: Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of CertificationThe 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 histopathology technician 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) laboratoryException for Non-Board CertifiedNon-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as ""board eligible -"" who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements - may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)(B)The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor - lab manager - or qualified individual who can verify technical experienceThis exception only applies at the entry levelFor grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must have HTL certificationTemporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointmentMay 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)Experience at the GS-7 level: None beyond the basic requirementsAssignments: Histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor - lab manager - or qualified individual who can verify technical experienceExperience at the GS-9 full performance level: You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filledAssignments: Histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized testsUtilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy and physiologyThe histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource - troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests - identifying suboptimal issues - and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concernsThe histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work - as necessary - in times of short staffing - or heavy workload - and by performing simultaneous tasksThe histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods - such as immunohistochemical - histochemical - and frozen section techniquesDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities KSA's: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: GS-7 KSAs: None beyond the basic requirements GS-9 KSAs: In addition to the experience or education above - You must have demonstrated all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivityKnowledge of histopathology techniques - chemistry - anatomy and physiology principles - theories - concepts - and methodologies sufficient to process specimens - and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized testsAbility to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sampleAbility to organize - coordinate - and prioritize simultaneous work assignmentsboth individual and team relatedSkill in applying professional - anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniquesPreferred Experience: Completion of a Histopathology training programFive years experience as a Histopathology Technologist or TechnicianFamiliar with day-to-day workflow of Anatomic Pathology 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds Light carrying - under 15 pounds Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (2 hours) Depth perception Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid may be permitted) Duties This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2027The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 14 - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 09/30/2027Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filledApplicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days - after 90 days applicants will have to reapplyA Histopathology Technologist (HTL) at the GS-07 level serves in a developmental position using practicing under close supervision of a supervisor - lab manager - or qualified individual who can verify technical experienceThey perform the full range of duties including preparing routine and special histology - cytology - immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical stained slides for pathologist reviewDuties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding - cutting - staining - and immunohistochemistry processesThe HTL performs advanced and complex laboratory proceduresrecognizes deviation from expected resultsanalyzes and corrects problems using scientific principlesTroubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests - identifies suboptimal issues - and resolves concernsMaintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipmentUses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipmentDiagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunctionPerforms - documents and reviews quality control and quality assurance activitiesAdheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplaceIdentifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutionsEvaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment and method comparison using statistical methods and theoretical knowledgeInterprets findings and makes recommendationsIncorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and trainees and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education programA Histopathology Technologist (HTL) at the GS-09 level uses independent judgement to perform the full range of duties including preparing routine and special histology - cytology - immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical stained slides for pathologist reviewDuties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding - cutting - staining - and immunohistochemistry processesThe HTL performs advanced and complex laboratory proceduresrecognizes deviation from expected resultsanalyzes and corrects problems using scientific principlesActs as a technical resource - troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests - identifying suboptimal issues - and uses independent judgement and resources to resolve concernsEnsures goals are met by prioritizing work - as necessary - in times of short staffing - or heavy workload - and by performing simultaneous tasksMaintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipmentUses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipmentDiagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunctionPerforms - documents and reviews quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to processing activities - as well as pre-analytical and analytical test performance - using statistical principles and theories of performance improvementAdheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutionsEvaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment and method comparison using statistical methods and theoretical knowledgeInterprets findings and makes recommendationsIncorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and trainees and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education programCommunicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team memberProvides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testingWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 0300-1630 Rotating Holidays and weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 55177-F - 55158-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized