Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Current VA employees will receive first consideration. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The incumbent will direct the complex technical operation of the Anatomic Pathology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service which operates 5 days a week, day and evening shifts. During short staffing, may need to complete general bench duties as necessary to meet the needs of the service.

• Exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff.
• Provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert for the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory including research, agency policies, new techniques, and procedures.
• Provides first line supervision to the Histology supervisor, Histotechnologists, Cytotechnologists and Gross room staff/Pathologist Assistant(s).
• Expected to be an expert in all these areas and be able to lend technical assistance and supervision to the bench technologists.
• Develops, implements and directs new procedures and methodologies which are required to provide a wide range of anatomic pathology services required by the VA Northeast Ohio Health Care System.
• Responsible for the coordination of work within the laboratory and MOHS clinic, which may involve a wide range of common laboratory examinations and procedures as well as complex and special tests.
• Responsible for developing and oversight of quality management metrics in anatomic pathology with review and corrective action plans with implementation.
• Responsible for managing all daily Surgical Pathology functions under the supervision of the Chief of Pathology.
• Works independently to perform these highly complex functions, or in collaboration with pathology residents, technician(s), and technologist(s).
• Ensures smooth and efficient flow of work through the section.
• Applies, adapts or otherwise modifies techniques as necessary to facilitate diagnosis and provide the information needed for treatment of the patient.
• Establishes priorities in specimen processing and testing according to laboratory guidelines and clinical considerations.
• Maintains regulatory compliance related to their duties daily. Reviews regulatory criteria, ensures all procedures and
  protocols are maintained up to date with regulatory criteria, prepares work areas for inspection, and
  participates in the inspection process as required by the Chief of PALMS and Assistant Chief PALMS.
• Participates in the orientation and training of new employees and plays a central role in the education and training of the employees and residents in pathology, other medical specialties, and medical students, regarding anatomic pathology.the bench technologists.
• Develops, implements and directs new procedures and methodologies which are required to provide a wide range of anatomic pathology services required by the VA Northeast Ohio Health Care System.
• Responsible for the coordination of work within the laboratory and MOHS clinic, which may involve a wide range of
  common laboratory examinations and procedures as well as complex and special tests.
• Responsible for developing and oversight of quality management metrics in anatomic pathology with review and corrective action plans with implementation.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94323-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: 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:
To qualify for appointment as a Histopathology Technologist, all applicants must possess the following:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it isnot possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph3g, of this part.)
• 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.
• 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. Histopathologt Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 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).

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Histopathology Technologist (Laboratory Manager), GS-13

(a)Experience. At this level, the candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled.

(b)Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The Supervisory Histopathology Technologist (laboratory manager) reports to the director of the laboratory service. The incumbent is responsible for supervising a large staff of nonsupervisory and supervisory personnel, and for managing and overseeing laboratory service operations. The incumbent also provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine, including research, agency policies, new techniques and procedures, developing guidelines, assessing laboratory effectiveness, and for establishing and maintaining quality assurance and quality management programs. The laboratory manager consults with, or serves as a consultant for, local, network, and national programs and/or officials; manages regulatory affairs and compliance; and develops and manages program budget and resource utilization, inventory, acquisition, and contracting processes.

(c)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 the requirements of regulatory, licensing, accrediting agency, and laws governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing, and monitoring laboratory programs.

ii.Ability to plan and execute short- and long-term programs and/or goals, through project management and tactical/strategic planning.

iii.Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, and executive leadership.

iv.Advanced knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodology of operations for a major clinical laboratory program, so as to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance of operations, personnel, and management.

v.Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management) in accordance with regulations.

vi.Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13.

Physical Requirements: The work of this position is primarily sedentary working closely with others or alone. There may be some walking, standing, bending, kneeling, carrying of light items under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, etc. The work environment typically involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of an office, meeting or training room. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

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.