Clarification from the agency

This is announcement is open to U.S. Citizens.

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The Supervisory Histopathology Technician provides technical and administrative supervision to a unit of histopathology technicians, oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures that accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; agency policies and priorities are being followed; develops performance standards; and evaluates the work performance of subordinates. Primary duties consist of overseeing the daily operation of the unit, ensuring that accrediting agency and regulatory requirements are met; agency policies and priorities are being followed; developing performance standards; and evaluating the work performance of subordinates.

Duties of Supervisory Histopathology Technicians include, but not limited to the following:

• Responsible for the performance of a broad range of histopathology procedures including all tasks of the histopathology technician profession. Oversees the performance of advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles according to established policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the performance of a broad range of clerical tasks related to the Anatomic Pathology reporting process, to include transcription / typing of pathology reports, reporting of reference laboratory data entry, medical terminology, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis. Instructs and assists staff in specimen problem handling according to service procedures.
• Operates, calibrates, trouble-shoots malfunctions and repairs. Performs and documents preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment, as needed. Monitors and documents the oversight of all instrument functions.
• Analyzes and diagnoses deviations in performance due to instrument malfunction and documents appropriately. Educates staff on instrument issues and solutions.
• Oversees the department Quality Control Program and implementation. Reviews, performs, and documents quality control and corrective actions for consistent quality test results.
• Identifies and troubleshoots discrepancies, solves problems, and presents unresolved issues and solutions to management. Enters and completes incident reports for process improvement. Evaluates action and correlates data.
• Reports results timely. Monitors and reviews turn-around-times data. Takes appropriate corrective action to prevent delays.
• Manages critical result policy and enforces the proper procedure for handling critical and unexpected results in department.
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and methods in the histopathology lab in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations as needed. Performs, documents, and reviews department method validations and implementation.
• Writes procedures for new methods. Updates existing procedures for lab compliance. Responsible for accurate and current department technical policies and procedure manuals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 3:00pm.
Telework: Position is considered telework eligible, pending approval
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• Experience and Education
  • 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,
  • Education
    • 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
    • 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
  • 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:
    • 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.
    • 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 histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Certification. None
• 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.

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 Technician, GS-9

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

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

• Expert knowledge of Federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements in order to develop policies and procedures for the laboratory.
• Expert knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in order to deal with employees, team leaders and managers.
• 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.
• Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long term goals and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology.
• Expert knowledge of concepts, principles and methods of laboratory technology and operations.

Assignments: Employees in this assignment perform the full range of supervisory duties for the anatomic pathology laboratory, including responsibility for assignment of work performed; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement and disciplinary actions; identification of continuing education and training needs. The individual ensures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program, and initiates corrective action. This individual develops policies and procedures, manage document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. The incumbent is responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area, to include budget execution, orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. The Supervisory Histopathology Technician maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services in order to accomplish medical center goals. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

References: VA Handbook 5005/102 Part II Appendix G55

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require light lifting under 15 lbs., light carrying under 15lbs., the use of fingers and both hands are required. Reaching above the shoulder, walking and standing (4 hrs.), repeated bending (4 hrs.). Exposed to fumes, smoke or gases, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4. Working around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water and works closely with others. Must have the ability to distinguish shades of color, have depth perception, hearing (aid permitted). Continuous sitting up to 8 hrs., occasional work longer than 8 hrs., and ability to work under stress.

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, résumé, 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.

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.