Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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Duties include, but not limited to:

• Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988.
• 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.
• 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 and participates in quality assurance activities.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the workplace.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and 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.
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and coverslipping.
• Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies.
• Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025-Total-Rewards-Allied-Health-Professions-VA-Career.pdf

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.
• 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,
  • 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.

• Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which is directly related to the position to be filled. Experience typically includes, but is 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. Assist in preparation of autopsy protocols as assigned. Knowledge of basic of Microsoft Word and Excel. Maintain the integrity of patient identification throughout all processes.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems.
  • Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation.
  • Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results.

How you will be evaluated

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.