Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current, permanent VA Employees. All others should apply to CBSS-12756541-25-CAT. Current, permanent VA employees must submit their most recent, NON-AWARD SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, to be considered for this vacancy.

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Incumbent serves as a Histopathology Technician in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in a medical system with state of the art instrumentation and methodologies for laboratory analysis. The incumbent prepares sections of human tissues for immediate examination, using rapid tissue processing and frozen section techniques to freeze, cut, mount and stain specimens received from surgery, etc. In addition, the incumbent operates computerized laboratory equipment to fix, dehydrate and infiltrate with wax tissue specimens to be preserved for study by pathologists.Duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintains laboratory supplies and equipment in such a manner as to provide safety and efficiency of laboratory operations. Recommends changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accuracy and safety. Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules.
• Ensures that sufficient supply of reagents, standards and controls are available at all times. Is responsible for preparation of special stains or reagents as required.
• Monitors specimens, equipment and the environment for contamination.
• Maintains the laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements. Calibrates and maintains laboratory instrumentation on timely intervals to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures.
• Assists in training personnel or students in laboratory safety and laboratory procedures with Histology laboratory documents accordingly. Functions as primary point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to supervisor to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies.
• Using established procedures, calibrates, controls and maintains a variety of instrumentation and laboratory equipment. When controls fall outside acceptable limits, employee uses independent judgment in adjusting either the procedure or the mechanical device used in the determination to bring the procedures into good quality control.
• Maintains and controls laboratory records according to established protocols and procedures. Records workload. Incumbent is responsible for presenting data to the supervisor in a logical and systematic fashion.
• Records information pertaining to the storage of specimens or reagents and completes appropriate tracking/inventory system information.
• Performs work in the testing and examination procedures carried out in the laboratory. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
• Performs microtomy, prepares and stains slides of extremely delicate specimens using critical concern for the quality of the specimen given the procedure to be used for test or examination. Performs preliminary microscopic evaluations of specimens to verify precise procedures.
• Uses a high degree of laboratory expertise to determine validity of results and the potential causes for invalid tests. Established minimum acceptable criteria for control/documentation/protocol/pertaining to test or examination procedures. Accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the results and for the adequacy of the results in furthering the professional clinical or research objectives.
• Performs tests that are new and involve very fine distinctions. Typically, many extremely delicate and exacting steps are required and the instrumentation is elaborate and complex.
• Accessions/acknowledges incoming specimens using the designated computer system (or backup system) as per established policies and procedures. Processes specimens and selects appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimen, patient information, and resources available in the laboratory. Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen and the quality of the patient care is maintained. Prepares specimens and other material for shipment to other locations (including reference labs) according to established procedures and regulatory guidance.
• Under the direction of the Pathologist, performs autopsy evisceration. Photographs selected gross specimens. Maintains the autopsy area, including instrument, supplies, reagents, equipment and clothing.
• Disposes of waste solutions and waste specimens following OSHA and other regulatory guidelines.
• Maintains documentation of supplies and reagents received and other proper labeling of reagents according to regulatory requirements (i.e. CAP, OSHA, and VA laboratory policies).
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630
Telework: Not a telework position
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 trial period.
• 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.
• 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).

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: Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience or Education:
  • 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
  • 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: (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 histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces.

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: GS7

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
(a) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
(b) Ability to provide technical oversight of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement exhibiting competence in managing reagent and supply inventories and document control systems.
(c) Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.
(d) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.

Preferred Experience: Working independently

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G55The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of standing, some bending and lifting as required for the handling of supplies and equipment, lifting of weight 15-44 lbs., pushing of weight 15-44 lbs., as well as long periods of sitting. In addition, manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures and fine manual dexterity procedures and requires eye-hand coordination for multiple repetitive motion activities of the hands, wrists, and arms. Requires ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color and ability to see in both eyes as depth perception is required.

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.