Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO TH PUBLIC 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 and tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversees daily operation of the section, ensuring that agency policies and priorities are followed, that all specimens are processed and results verified and released in a timely and efficient manner.
• Develops performance standards, communicates these standards and progress in meeting these standards to subordinates and evaluates the work performance of subordinates.
• Supervises the day-to-day operation of Anatomic Pathology section, prepares work schedules, and assigns duties to subordinates to ensure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures.
• The incumbent gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and Indianapolis VAMC FS# 93410-0 refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to the Lab Manager or Director as appropriate.
• The incumbent effects progressive disciplinary actions as necessary and informs laboratory management of all disciplinary action taken.
• The incumbent reviews and approves leave of subordinate employees as appropriate, ensuring minimal necessary coverage of the area is maintained at all times.
• The incumbent interviews candidates for positions within the section and recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to positions. Performs reference checks and all other required hiring procedures.
• Identifies and provides for training needs and evaluates processes to identify ways to improve efficiency, production, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the section.
• Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures. Follows established procedure for handling mislabeled, unlabeled, or unsuitable specimens.
• Performs and completes all proficiency and competency testing to meet deadlines and with satisfactory performance. Distributes and tracks proficiency testing for the department.
• Involved in statistical data collection and/or documentation for records, reports, Quality Assurance monitors, and quality control. Maintains a detailed, accurate record in an organized fashion, tracks activities, and processes paperwork accurately and promptly.
• Able to organize and prioritize work during heavy workload situations to expedite patient results. Prioritizes work between non-specimen activity and patient care.
• Takes initiative to solve problems without assistance or transferring of responsibility unless justified.
• Maintains a positive attitude, willingness to work as part of a team and is supportive of coworkers. Collaborates and works well with others.
• Able to respond and adapt to new processes, procedures, or equipment. Willing to make changes to improve service.
• Answers and appropriately and professionally addresses any incoming inquiries to the laboratory, whether via phone, electronic communications, or in-person communications.
• Assists in the preparation for regulatory inspections by reviewing and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and participates in the inspection of in-house and external facilities as required.
• Promptly reports all variances, incidents, and/or deviations from policy as required and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Annually develops a Quality Management Plan for the Anatomic Pathology department to analyze key monitors in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology to ensure continual quality Indianapolis VAMC FS# 93410-0 improvement throughout all phases of testing. Monitors the Anatomic Pathology activities monthly to ensure the technical and procedural quality items that are integral components of comprehensive quality management are adequately met.
• Researches and selects equipment as needed for the growth and continued advancement within the Anatomic Pathology section. Develops and completes all required documents necessary for equipment purchase.
• May act as a Contracting Officer's Representative, and performs all duties required to establish and maintain required contracts within the section.
• Reviews quality data, summary reports, and manually entered data for accuracy and compliance with policy and regulation.

Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4:00pm, Monday- Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93410-0
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

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:

• 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,

• 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,

• 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 3 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.

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

Experience:
At this level, the candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of Federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
ii. Skill in communicating with individuals, in order to obtain the desired effect, ensuring compliance with established policies, regulations, and procedures.
iii. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
iv. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program, and/or education and training of the laboratory staff.
v. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in order to deal with employees, team leaders, and managers.
vi. Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including fiscal matters, budget execution, personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

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-12

Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

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.

NOTE: You MUST include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements.

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.