Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. 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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Duties:

GS-5 (Entry Level)

• Receives guidance from more experienced staff members and requires frequent and direct supervision. Retrieves surgical specimens from processing and/or clinics.
• Verifies information on requisition and specimen containers for accuracy.
• Notifies supervisor and /or clinic if discrepancies are found. Accessions and labels histology specimens. Processes and prepares histology specimens according to the standard operation procedures (SOP's).
• Assist Pathologists when needed (i.e. frozen specimens, making tissue cassettes, retrieval of specimens and slide, recording data, miscellaneous paperwork. Keeps prep room cleaned, well stocked, and organized.
• Disposes of specimens according to the departments SOP's.
• Familiar with the handling and disposal of various reagents used in the department.
• Follows lab safety procedures and wears appropriate PPE while performing various tasks.
• Works with management to ensure laboratory is following various regulatory agencies requirements and guidelines. Prepares patient specimens and paperwork to send to reference laboratories.
• May perform tasks as instructed by the supervisor.

• Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988.
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing tasks of the histopathology technician occupation involving anatomic pathology, i.e. surgical pathology, autopsy pathology and cytopathology.
• Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment. Uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs,and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance dueto instrument malfunction.
• Performs and documents quality control and participates in quality assurance activities. Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students 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 histopathology and cytopathology principles.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen.
• Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and cover slipping.
• Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine needle biopsies.
• Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 identification 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.

• 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.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part.
• Experience. One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) or health technician. OR, (2) Education (a) Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as biological science or chemistry; or (b) Successful completion of two academic years of study above high school that included at least 24 semester hours in Chemistry and/or in appropriate fields of biological science and successful completion of a 12-month program of education and training in histopathology or cytotechnology. OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below: (a) Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as biological science, surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or an associate's degree in a health care related field. (b) Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or 3 histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces.

• Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems.
• Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation.
• Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results.

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.

Area of Consideration - eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veteran's Preference.

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.