Clarification from the agency

Limited to current permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System (including Minneapolis based VA Clinics).

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NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Such as molecular/DNA testing.
• Supports VA's participation in programs including APOLLO (Applied Proteogenomics Organizational Learning and Outcomes) and VABIO (VA Biorepository) amongst other national VA initiatives.
• Coordinates with pathology to determine the amount of tissue that can be utilized for biobanking purposes without impacting pathology.
• Collect, store, and ship biospecimens (fresh, frozen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), etc.) from patients participating in VA Biorepository Program.
• Responsible for coordinating and reporting send out testing within the Anatomic Pathology section of the laboratory.
• Select and perform non-routine and specialized test procedures. Recognize and able to react to indicators of malfunction.
• Performs routine histology procedures.
• Uses professional skills in applying complex anatomic pathology principles, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques including fluorescence in situ hybridization staining and enumeration.
• Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the FISH Laboratory.
• Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations in the FISH Laboratory to
  ensure acceptable levels of performance including quality control and proficiency program activities
  for the FISH laboratory.
• Responsible for inventory management ensuring the FISH laboratory has all the necessary
  supplies.
• Develops and modifies methods, procedures, and techniques, manages document control, and
  appropriate record retention.
• Operate, verify, and maintain correct instrument operation for all equipment in the Laboratory using established procedures and quality control checks in accordance with College of American Pathologists, Joint Commission and VHA guidelines.
• Assures the calibration and preventive maintenance of Laboratory equipment is performed.
• Prepare reagents and control materials. Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products, and maintain proper records for quality control reports.
• Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel to perform stains.
• Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications.
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, Joint Commission, and OSHA. Complies with requirements of all VA oversight groups such as OIG, VA National Enforcement Office, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Daytime hours; No weekends/holidays
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship. Candidates must be a United States citizen.
Education. Individuals must meet one of the requirements below:

1. 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,
2. 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,
3. 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, pre- medical, 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.

1. 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,
(b) 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.

Grandfathering Provision. All histopathology technologists employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, who perform the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard (11/25/2019), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply:

(1) Histopathology technologists who do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
(2) Histopathology technologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or receive a new appointment on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) Histopathology technologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If histopathology technologists, who are grandfathered under this provision, leave the occupation then those employees lose grandfathered protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the histopathology technologist occupation in this series.

English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Histopathology Technologist, GS-11

Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following:
(a)One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; or
(b)Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; or
(c)A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate KSAs:
(a)Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests.
(b)Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis.
(c)Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
(d)Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample.
(e)Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments, both individual and team related.
(f)Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
(i)Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines from organizations such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission (TJC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements, including continuing education and employee orientation.

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Able to alternate between standing and sitting multiple times per day, requires other physical functions
including ability to bend, squat, twist, turn, push, pull, reach, and lift items of up to 20 lbs.

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.