Histopathology Technologist

Summary The Histopathology Technologist position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory service line within the Providence VA Medical Center. The position is full time/40 hours a week. Learn more about this agency Help Overview Accepting applications Open & closing dates 03/27/2024 to 04/10/2024 Salary $55,383 - $88,065 per year Pay scale & grade GS 00 Help Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Providence, RI 1 vacancy Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Not required Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent - Work schedule Full-time - Service Excepted Promotion potential None Job family (Series) 0601 General Health Science Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test Yes Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Trust determination process Credentialing Suitability/Fitness Announcement number CBTD 24-CK Control number Help This job is open to Internal to an agency Current federal employees of this agency. Clarification from the agency Open to Current permanent employees of the Providence VA Medical Center, Pathology & Laboratory service. Consideration is restricted to the service due to budgetary constraints. Videos Help Duties The Histopathology Technologist serves in a developmental position practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. They utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. Duties include but not limited to: GS-07: Prepares all stains and chemical solutions with a competent, practical knowledge of chemistry. This includes alteration and standardization of pH and concentration of the solutions (percent, molar and/or normal), reagents, buffers, and stains, using pH meters, analytical balances, and mixers. Since many of these reagents and solutions are toxic, caustic, or flammable (e.g., silver solutions, formaldehyde, acids, alcohols). Performs complex immunohistochemical stains and procedures including, but not limited to, special pretreatment procedures, antigen retrieval, enzymatic digestion, antibody diluting, and titers, immunofluorescence, enzyme immunohistochemistry and frozen section microtomy. Troubleshoots and corrects problems with these procedures and maintains records and QA data as necessary. Performs SNOMED code searches of the VISTA database to identify blocks and tissues from cases to be used as positive controls for staining procedures. The incumbent keeps cut sections from such cases to test reactivity of stains and examines the control slides to decide whether the slides are acceptable for diagnostic evaluation. Recognizes origin and type of tissues and properly orients and cuts small or complex specimens, choosing appropriate microtome knives and section thickness. Sharpens microtome knives. Is responsible for preparation, labeling and storage of routine fixative solutions, pap kits and special fixatives for electron microscopy and other special solutions, including decalcifying agents, iodine solutions and TTC stain for determining myocardial infarct. GS-09: Receives and/or obtains specimens using appropriate techniques, maintaining proper identification. Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens. Prepares specimens for analysis according to the specifications of the procedure. Handles all types of human tissue which may include receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Provides technical guidance to ensure all tissues are properly oriented when embedding them, according to established procedures and depending on the type of specimen being prepared (e.g., shave biopsies on edge; core biopsies to demonstrate the maximum amount of tissue). Accessions and prepares all cytological specimens including sputa, body secretions, fluids, ThinPreps and fine needle aspirates. The incumbent exercises all required safety guidelines and works with great care in handling the specimens and uses personal protective equipment including face shields, goggles, masks, gloves, aprons, and laboratory coats. Assists the Pathologist in preparing frozen tissue sections for special immunological studies which includes selecting, freezing, cutting (microtomy) and staining tissue for rush/stat (Frozen Section) exam by the Pathologist. Employs the cryostat. Investigation and resolution of problems related to surgical pathology. Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel to perform stains. Maintains QA files of blocks and slides needed to perform special stains in the laboratory. Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday-Friday; rotating 6:00a-2:30p, 7:00a-3:30p, and 8:00a-4:30p. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized. Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement : LEAF 9999. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Help Requirements 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. Education. Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: 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, 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, 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. Certification. Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by 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 histotechnician 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. 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 under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). 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. This exception only applies at the entry level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must have HTL certification . click apply for full job details