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
- Citizenship. Must be a Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
- English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English 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.
- 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. OR,
- 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
Grandfathering Provision. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
Histopathology Technician (Advanced) - GS-7
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-6) grade level examples include: Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems. Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate
must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
- Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
- 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.
- Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.
- Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.
Preferred Experience.
- Extensive experience in preparing and staining tissue samples for microscopic examination, including proficiency in using histology laboratory equipment such as microscopes, cryostats and tissue processors.
- Experience monitoring quality control and assurance programs in a histopathology laboratory setting.
- Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) credentials by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements. The work requires manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision; regular and recurring physical exertion such as use of microtome or cryostat and sitting and/or standing for long periods of time; lifting of five-gallon reagent container and other moderately heavy supplies and equipment; a high degree of tolerance and ability to work under stress which at time can be irregular and sometime constant. Additionally, the demand for accuracy and timeliness in reporting results to pathologist responsible for patient care is an ever-present responsibility and a constant concern of a responsible histopathology technician. Occasionally may be required to work longer than eight hours per day and provide coverage as essential personnel during Hurricane season or a National Disaster.