Histopathology Technologist

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS main facility, within the Anatomic Pathology section of the laboratory.

The histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests in the histopathology laboratory and utilizes information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may no be hired until all requirements are met.

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.

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, 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 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, 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.

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-09 Assignment. At the full performance level, the histopathology technologist independently performs 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.

The 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 concerns.

The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks.

The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods, such as immuno-histochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.

Knowledge 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 tests.

Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample.

Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.

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

Preferred Experience: Experience performing all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens.

Proficient as Histotechnologist with 3 years minimum experience that includes proficiency in the following disciplines: Accessioning, cutting, embedding, grossing, staining, cover-slipping, special stains, and frozen sections.

Inventory Control /Management: able to recognize inventory needs, request replacement, organize inventory.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G65 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pound, Walking (3 hours), Standing (3 hours), Use of fingers; both hands required, Working with hands in water, Working closely with others, Working alone.

Major Duties:

Processes Tissues and Prepare Blocks and Slides - Accepts and logs in surgically removed tissue, and as needed, body fluids such as sputum, spinal fluid, bronchial washings and brushings, percutaneous lung aspirates, chest, abdominal cavity and joint fluids, cervical-vaginal smears, and urine and bladder washings for their ultimate slide preparations, staining and microscopic diagnosis by the pathologist.

- Performs proper fixation methods on tissue and cytologic fluids to penetrate the tissue and preserve its elements as to not be altered by the subsequent processing procedures, allowing the pathologist to review tissues and cells as they were at the time of removal from the body, maintaining minimal autolysis and necrosis.

- As needed, performs gross examinations on small biopsy and excisional specimens under the supervision of the staff pathologists, while following procedures and accrediting guidelines.

- Processes tissue through dehydration in graded alcohols, clearing in various solvents and impregnating or infiltrating in a paraffin, liquid-like solution.

- Orients and embeds tissue into paraffin blocks.

Performs decalcification on ossified tissue and bone marrow biopsies recognizing the correct degree of decalcification to preserve and maintain the microscopic architecture of the tissue and avoiding damage by over-decalcification but ensuring adequate decalcification to allow for proper cutting of paraffin sections.

- Cut tissue paraffin blocks and cytology prepared cell blocks on the rotary microtome, preparing slides for routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, additional histochemical special stains, and immunohistochemical stains, while meeting service established benchmark requirements for turnaround times and monitoring quality of tissue appearance and it's staining to ensure optimum result is achieved.

- Properly uses a cryostat to perform cryosectioning on frozen tissue sections that have been sent from the operating room for an immediate diagnosis or consultation.

Follows standard for turn around time established by the Chief Pathologist and CUA Medical Director.

- If for any reason difficulties are encountered with tissue quality and routine, special or immunohistochemical stains, it is the incumbent' s responsibility to ascertain the issue and to make the necessary corrections to attain the desired results - Completes the staining processes by dehydrating the tissues and applying coverslips to permanently mount the slide for pathologist review.

Ensure the quality of the coverslip, checking for adequate mounting media applied and proper coverage of the glass coverslip over the tissue.

- Assists supervisor in evaluation of methodologies for use in the histology section.

Applies knowledge of underlying principles and scientific knowledge in evaluating guidelines and approaches to problems and new techniques in predicting test performance.

Provides Assistance and Instructions - Ensure submitting clinical personnel have proper containers and solutions available for specimen collection and transport.

- When necessary, assist staff pathologists and cytotechnologists by attending ROSE, FNA procedures to prepare slide smears from percutaneous needle aspirates, touch preps or other specimen preparation procedures for ancillary testing studies.

- Assists pathologist and pathology specialist with renal biopsy preparation. Returns all fixed tissues to the lab for accessioning, preparation and send out.

- Assists the supervisor with the following, as needed/directed: Accreditation preparation, including but not limited to pulling patient tracer materials for inspector review, preparing supporting documentation, and other inspection coordination.

Fulfilling materials requests within the facility and for outside facilities, send out ancillary testing and research requests.

Maintains Equipment and Supplies - Maintains all histology equipment such as cryostats, refrigerators, freezers, and temperature­ controlled ovens, paraffin baths and water baths, tissue embedding center, tissue processors, automated stainers, centrifuges, microtomes and fume hoods through cleaning, calibrating, defrosting and maintaining constant temperatures to ensure optimum working condition.

- Reports all malfunctions as they occur so that prompt repair can be performed by the biomedical engineering service.

- Maintains a running inventory of all reagents and supplies required for day-to-day operations. And notifies the supervisor of any items that need ordered.

- Ensures daily and weekly preventative maintenance logs are completed by laboratory personnel completing tasks and notifying supervisor of issues.