This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/568102400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
If you are a current, permanent VA or Federal employee, you should apply under 10814692.
This position is located at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas, under Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. A Lead Histopathology Technologist in this assignment facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management.
05/12/2020 to 05/29/2020
$73,598 - $95,676 per year
GS 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Excepted
None
No
Yes
CBST-10814693-20-AYC
568102400
CLINICAL DUTIES: (75 percent)
- Is responsible for monitoring specimen accessioning, processing, sectioning and staining and assures timely delivery of the slides to the Pathologist.
- Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications.
- Provides guidance to the staff in handling difficult cases.
- Is responsible for enforcing a quality control and quality management program that encompasses all the histopathology and anatomic pathology test procedures.
- Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. The incumbent will assist to oversee the implementation and validation of new tests.
- The incumbent assures that proper quality and quantity of supplies are ordered and available.
- Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation.
- Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, FDA, OSHA and Federal Regulations. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty.
- Duties and responsibilities may include any combination of those found at the GS-11 level; however, individuals in these assignments are not given the freedom of action typically found at the higher level. For example, their duties may include any of the following:
a. Attends vendor training for a complex instrument and is responsible for training employees in its operation. Performs complex maintenance procedures and is consulted as the in-house expert for troubleshooting problems.
b. Is responsible for updating procedure manuals for a specific laboratory function.
c. Supervises the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist).
d. Recommends updated guidelines and policies for non-routine or complex assignments.
e. Coordinates under the guidance of the unit supervisor of the laboratory competency program.
- Other minor duties may be assigned based on the needs of the department (10%).
ADVANCED DUTIES: (25 percent)
- The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring maintenance and functioning of the immunohistochemical section of the histology lab.
- Ability to introduce new tests and procedures by various methods. Utilizes information technology.
- Under the direction of the lab director performs research to introduce new lab tests.
- Analyze the technical information and identify the best method that can be implemented in the lab.
- Orders supplies required.
- Sets up protocol and ensures that the results are reproducible.
- Ensures that the test is performed in a cost-effective manner.
- Validation and testing of new antibodies.
- Keeps abreast of the information and advances in Histotechnology. Ability to implement all the advances in the lab in a cost-effective manner, under the direction of the supervisor and/or lab director.
- Acts as a technical guide for specimen handling, processing, sectioning and staining of all difficult specimens.
- Able to operate, maintain and troubleshoot instrumentations used in specimen analysis. Ability to recognize the problem and take appropriate action.
- Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel/students to perform immunohistochemical stains and other specialized tests.
- The incumbent also ensures that all staff follow the safety regulations.
- Must have the knowledge about the functioning of all the areas of the lab.
- Must be able to assist the supervisor with technical assessment and analysis of all the areas of the lab.
- Act as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal tissues, and using independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns.
- Skills in applying complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to introduce new tests for analysis.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/29/2020 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10814693.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/568102400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 151,000 Veterans in southeast Texas. Houston exudes a cosmopolitan and down-home vibe together that lets the residents of the country's fourth-largest city and third-largest county (Harris) know that there's no place quite like Houston. The city attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of world class arts, booming business, pro sports and award-winning cuisine.