Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

Full Job Description

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings.

VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

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.

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- 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.

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: 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.

English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., 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 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.

Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

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.

Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.

Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/102 PART II APPENDIX G55 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Major Duties:

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES Histopathology technicians at this level generally have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerably difficulty independently.

The incumbent will have the responsibility of performing difficult specialized histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical procedures, as well as improving existing methods as necessary for routine histotechnology procedures.

The technician will be responsible for troubleshooting issues with instruments and resolving problems.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities: - Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

- Ability to provide technical oversight of the laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement exhibiting competence in managing reagent and supply inventories and document control systems.

- Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.

- Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.

Maintains Knowledge of and complies with all regulatory agencies such as federal, VA, CAP and TJC.

- Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing tasks of the histopathology technician occupation involving anatomic pathology, i.e.

surgical pathology, autopsy pathology and cytopathology.

- Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.

- Evaluates and problem solves issues related to collection and processing of biological specimens for diagnostic evaluation, taking into account physiologic processes and requirements.

- Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment. Uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.

- Performs and documents quality control, quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement, as applicable.

- Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory. - Identifies discrepancies, solves problems and presents solution.

- Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment and method comparison using theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations.

Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students 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 histopathology and cytopathology principles. - Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.

- Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen. - Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory.

Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider.

Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system.

- Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and cover slipping.

- Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies - Examines slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.

- Performs staining of tissue sections, including histochemical and other advanced staining techniques.

- Identifies problems in processing and staining procedures and makes necessary adjustments as needed for diagnostic purposes - Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-4:30pm Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized