Histopathology Technician

Full Job Description

The Organizational Location of the Position is: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Anatomic Pathology Section, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, Texas.

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 Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part.

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.

Education: 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 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.

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: 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.

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.

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: GS-05 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: This is an entry level histopathology technician position.

It is expected that histopathology technicians receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to, retrieving and accessioning surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens; enter and track workload data and disposition of pathology materials and documents electronically; perform pre and post-analytical duties; and may assist in preparation of autopsy protocols as assigned.

The incumbent must maintain the integrity of patient identification throughout all processes. Grade Determinations: GS-06 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.

(a) Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.

(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems.

(c) Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation.

(d) Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results.

Assignment: At the full performance level, 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 cover slipping.

Preferred Experience: 1.) Completed a histopathology technician program and is certified or eligible for certification. 2.) Familiar with embedding tissues.

3.) Familiar with cutting tissue blocks and preparing/staining slides. 4.) Familiar with operating tissue processors.

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-06.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary.

Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work.

Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site.

Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Major Duties:

Duties are but not limited to: GS-05: - Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding, cutting, staining, and immunohistochemistry processes.

The HT performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.

- Evaluates and solves problems related to processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements.

- Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipment.

Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunction.

- Performs and documents 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 improvement.

- Adheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace. - Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.

- Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).

- Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. - Participates in proficiency testing programs. - Performs validation studies on new equipment and test procedures.

GS-06: - Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding, cutting, staining, and immunohistochemistry processes.

The HT performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.

- Evaluates and solves problems related to processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements.

- Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipment.

Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunction.

- Performs and documents 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 improvement.

- Adheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace. - Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.

- Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).

- Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. - Participates in proficiency testing programs. - Performs validation studies on new equipment and test procedures.

Work Schedule: 3am- 4:30pm, Monday- Friday, Rotating Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 50004F & 50003F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized