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

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A Histopathology Technologist (HTL) at the GS-07 level serves in a developmental position using practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. They perform the full range of duties including preparing routine and special histology, cytology, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical stained slides for pathologist review.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding, cutting, staining, and immunohistochemistry processes. The HTL performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifies suboptimal issues, and resolves concerns.
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunction.
• Performs, documents and reviews quality control and quality assurance activities.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace.
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment and method comparison using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and trainees and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program.

A Histopathology Technologist (HTL) at the GS-09 level uses independent judgement to perform the full range of duties including preparing routine and special histology, cytology, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical stained slides for pathologist review.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs a broad range of anatomic pathology procedures to include embedding, cutting, staining, and immunohistochemistry processes. The HTL performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgement and resources to resolve concerns.
• Ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks.
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of anatomic laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of anatomic laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunction.
• Performs, documents and reviews quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to processing activities, as well as pre-analytical and analytical test performance, using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment and method comparison using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and trainees 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 principles of laboratory testing.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0300-1630 Rotating Holidays and weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55177-F, 55158-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.
• 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:

• United States Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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:
• (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.
• 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
• (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.
• Exception for Non-Board Certified. Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as "board eligible," who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. This exception only applies at the entry level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must have HTL certification. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• 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).

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).

Experience at the GS-7 level: None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignments: Histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience.

Experience at the GS-9 full performance level: You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Assignments: 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 immunohistochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSA's: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

GS-7 KSAs: None beyond the basic requirements

GS-9 KSAs: In addition to the experience or education above, You must have demonstrated 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:

• Completion of a Histopathology training program.
• Five years experience as a Histopathology Technologist or Technician.
• Familiar with day-to-day workflow of Anatomic Pathology

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:

• Light lifting, under 15 pounds
• Light carrying, under 15 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (2 hours)
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)

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.