Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to 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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*Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.*

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operates, verifies and maintains correct instrument operation for all equipment in the histology laboratory, using established procedures and quality control checks in accordance with College of American Pathologists, Joint Commission and VHA guidelines.
• The supervisor will be responsible for ensuring continuity of MOHS laboratory operations and must be prepared to cover duties when the primary MOHS staff member is unavailable.
• Support and advise CUA Technical Director (Service Chief, AP Section Chief, or other designee) in areas of anatomical pathology quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization.
• Plans, implements and coordinates preventive maintenance of all instruments, collaborating with the Biomedical Service any instrument malfunctions.
• Responsible for validating, modifying, or adapting new staining methods or techniques, or improving existing methods as necessary for routine histopathology technology procedures.
• Properly documents all validation procedures and obtains approval of Laboratory Medical Director or AP Technical Director prior to implementation.
• Establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and initiates corrective action.
• Prepares monthly QA/QM data for section consistent with VA NEO and accreditation agency regulations. Generates and executes action plan(s) for metrics requiring such.
• Responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area, to include budget development, orientation, and competency of assigned staff.
• Manages inventory, supplies, and reagents and monitors expenditures in the section. Evaluates existing tests for cost-benefit and recommends sending out low volume, high cost or labor-intensive testing as indicated.
• Manages document control for assigned section(s) per VA regulation and accrediting agency requirements.
• Maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Performs advanced procedures and quality control of tissue samples.
• Acts as a technical resource, troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests, identifies suboptimal issues and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns.
• Organizes, coordinates and prioritizes work assignments. Adjusts staffing levels/assignments or work procedures as deemed necessary.
• Coordinates schedule of autopsy and transfer of bodies to and from other facilities with Decedent Affairs.
• Uses professional skills in applying complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
• Develops new tests, including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing and recordkeeping and documentation.
• Guide and train staff to prepare reagent and control materials. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents and products. Maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Provides training and competency assessment, including effective and professional training for the histopathology and technician(s), Pathologist assistants, and other laboratory employees that support the services of the anatomic pathology department.
• Develops quality control procedures that would include obtaining control tissues for special stains and special studies.
• Approves leave requests and timecards for payroll. Also establishes and maintains record keeping systems.
• Interviews and recommends candidates for positions or status changes, solves problems related to work supervised, writes functional statements, position descriptions, plans and carries out training and development of employees.
• Manages employee issues regarding suggestions, complaints, reprimands, grievances, and other matters involved in the administration of labor- management agreements.
• Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff. 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.

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination / evaluation.
• 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: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

• 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. *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.*

• 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) *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.*

• 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. *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.*

• 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 histo-technician 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.

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled

• Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum.

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements, in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
• Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect, ensuring compliance with established policies, regulations, and procedures.
• 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.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program, in addition to educating and training the laboratory staff.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to interact with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Ability to plan, organize, set short-term and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

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.