Clarification from the agency

This job is open to Current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees. First consideration will be given to employees of the Martinsburg WV VAMC. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Performs and oversees performance of all immunohistochemical (IHC), direct immunofluorescence (DIF), and In Situ Hybridization (ISH) staining using appropriate controls, multiple detection techniques, and multiple instruments.
• Collects, harvests, and processes all control material used in Anatomic Pathology. Establishes and monitors reference values/ranges for quality control materials to assure the accuracy and validity of results.
• Evaluates the validity of results obtained in relation to the test system and collection procedures. Interprets and correlates staining results with established staining criteria. Uses systematic analytical processes to determine corrective action for procedural/staining problems. Documents all discrepancies, modifications, and corrective actions in appropriate reports.
• Evaluates, modifies, and recommends new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or enhance accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, timeliness, or precision of analyses. Compares new methods with existing or reference methods by performance and suitability. Assesses advances in the fields of IHC procedures for use in the Anatomic Pathology Section to enhance patient care.
• Provides complex training and guidance to all personnel to assure competency as required by laboratory regulations.
• Investigates, develops, tests, integrates and obtains approval for all complex IHC techniques including but not limited to new antibodies, new detection kits, lot number titrations, double staining, and testing of concentrated antibodies.
• Accurately prepares, stores, maintains, and orders inventory of antibodies, reagents and supplies for all IHC staining procedures. Maintains at least a two-month inventory of supplies and reagents to ensure constant readiness for all patient tests. Updates and maintains records meticulously to indicate all pertinent details required according to approved Standard Operating Procedures.
• Monitors and maintains quality control of equipment and procedures in the IHC area. Submits work orders on instrumentation that requires repair by Biomedical Engineers. Communicates with sales and service representatives concerning all instrumentation, product or staining issues relating to staining instrumentation, keeping supervisor informed at all times.
• Responsible for technical operation of histologic procedures in all clinics, evaluating, embedding, cryostat sectioning, and staining of all types of specimens under the direction of the surgeon. Follows up with accessioning, preparing preliminary reports, and overseeing Quality Control of Mohs samples.
• Prepares samples for transport to reference laboratories for testing unavailable in house. May include slide and/or block preparation and specific requisitions depending on type of test to be performed. Maintains integrity of patient samples and completes processing of reports ensuring supplemental reports are finalized in a timely manner. Researches newly ordered tests and handles all types of troubleshooting relating to samples or reports to ensure contractual expectations are met.
• Maintains a safe, clean, organized and professional IHC/Mohs work area. Oversees operations to assure that all personnel working in these areas adhere to established safety, infection control, and universal precautions and guidelines as described in the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Manual, VAMC Emergency and Safety Manuals. Appropriately disposes of instrument waste according to Hazardous Waste Policy.
• Ensures that statistical and administrative data (work load recording) and other information requested are properly collected, recorded, and presented to the supervisor by designated deadlines. Compiles and/or generates information and data needed for quality assurance monitors/reports. Archives instrumentation data yearly as required by the system.
• Performs all routine and special procedures including accessioning, grossing, embedding, microtomy, H&E staining, and special stains to support the Anatomic Pathology Section as needed.
• Other tasks/duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. 9:00am - 5:30pm.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 26128-F
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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not 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.
• 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.
    • NOTE: (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:
  • 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

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, 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-07 Histopathology Technician:

• Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment: At this level, histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience.

GS-09 Histopathology Technician GS-09 (Full Performance Level).

GS-09 Histopathology Technician - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Examples of GS-07 experience include:

• Utilizing information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
• Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal tissues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns.
• Meets goals by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks.
• Using professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods, such as immunohistochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques.

GS-09 Histopathology Technician - Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the basic requirements at the GS-07 level 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.

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.

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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

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.