Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to current, permanent VA Salt Lake City Health Care System Employees, VA Employees Nationwide, and all other Federal Employees. ***If you are NOT a current federal employee, please apply to the public announcement CBSU-12999043-26-GH.*** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing from wet tissue to slide preparation involving anatomic pathology, i.e., surgical pathology, and autopsy pathology.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for diagnostic evaluation considering physiological processes and requirements.
• Identifies the need for and performs fixation techniques that are non-routine such as lymph node preparations and bone decalcification.
• Performs frozen section preparations.
• Assists with the collection and processing of kidney biopsies.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the laboratory.
• Operates the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness required for variety of tissue types and test methods.
• Performs routine and special histochemical stains as requested by the pathologist.
• Performs cross coverage duties in lmmunohistochemistry and assists with specialized testing procedures including FISH and CISH, as needed.
• Operates and performs routine maintenance of instruments, troubleshoots, and resolves problems . Performs quality control and assurance procedures and troubleshoots quality control problems including examining slides under a microscope to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
• Files blocks, slides, and residual tissue and maintain them in accordance with record retention guidelines.
• Packages, appropriate records, and distributes a variety of send-out requests in accordance with established laboratory procedures.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's internship/continuing education program.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Maintains an adequate stock of supplies in the various areas of the laboratory and indicates when supplies are low.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30am - 3:00pm
Telework: not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 57122-A / 59600-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.

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.
English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient inspoken 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.

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.

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. 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.

• 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 accreditedby 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.

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 (11/25/19), 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.

Histopathology Technologist, GS-7
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Histopathology Technologist, GS-9
Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Assignment for the GS-7 level. 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience oreducation above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• (a) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
• (b) 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.
• (c) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample.
• (d) Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.
• (e) 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 of 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves Heavy Lifting (up to 40 lbs.); Heavy Carrying (up to 40 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder (occasional); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (1 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Sitting (up to 6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid 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.