Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Prepares Blocks and Slides

• Prepares and processes surgically removed tissue, autopsy tissue and body fluids such as sputum, spinal fluid, bronchial washings and brushings, percutaneous lung aspirates, chest, abdominal cavity and joint fluids, cervical-vaginal smears, and urine and bladder washings for their ultimate slide preparations, staining and microscopic diagnosis by the pathologist.
• Performs fixation, the stabilization of protein, on tissue and body fluids to penetrate the tissue and kill it quickly to preserve the tissue elements, particularly the nuclei, in the condition in which they are at the moment the fixing agent acts on them and to harden them so they will not be altered by the various processing procedures.
• Processes tissue through dehydration in graded alcohols, clearing in various solvents and impregnating or infiltrating in a liquid paraffin-like solution.
• Orients and embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Performs decalcification on ossified tissue and bone marrow biopsies recognizing the correct degree of decalcification. Carefully processes preparations to preserve and maintain the delicate microscopic architecture of the tissue; avoiding damage by over-decalcification while ensuring adequate decalcification to allow for proper cutting of the sections.
• Prepares Non gynecological cytology specimens by Thin Prep technique and prepares spinal fluids by cyto-centrifugation technique.
• As needed, prepares cell blocks from pleural and other body fluids, and cuts all cell blocks, prepares slides, and stains them for cytology screening.

Maintains Reports, Records and Materials

• Accessions all surgically removed tissue specimens, autopsy specimens and body fluids to preclude the possibility of a mix-up or loss of tissue as it is processed.
• Numbers and files paraffin embedded tissue blocks, slides, and gross specimens for permanent reference and each week prepares gross tissue for disposal.
• Helps maintain the workload recording system by keeping an accurate record of all work performed in the histology laboratory, including the number of blocks cut, the number of slides prepared, and the number of slides stained. Maintains records of equipment maintenance.
• Prepares special slides for other hospitals and pathologists, as well as for pathology conferences with various hospital affiliates. Prepares slides upon request for various studies.
• Prepares monthly quality assurance reports for pathology noting any discrepancies that may have occurred between the surgery operation logbook and the histology accession logbook etc.

Provides Assistance and Instructions

• Assists the resident pathologists as necessary while they gross surgical tissue specimens by preparing cassettes and answering questions as they arise.
• Instructs doctors and nursing personnel, as necessary, in the proper techniques of collection and preparation of the material desired.
• Makes available specimens for examination by staff physicians, residents and medical students.
• Ensures clinical personnel has proper containers and solutions available for specimen collection and transport.
• Assists radiologists and other clinical physicians by preparing slide smears from percutaneous needle aspirates. Returns needle aspirate to lab, accessions specimen, prepares cell blocks from needle aspirates.
• Assists Renal Fellow and/or physicians with renal biopsies. Returns fresh tissue to the lab, accessions specimen, separates tissue into three parts, process one part for H&E stain, and send out other parts for electron-microscopy and immuno-fluorescent studies.

Maintains Equipment and Supplies

• Maintains all histology equipment such as cryostats, refrigerators, freezers, and temperature-controlled ovens, paraffin baths and water baths. tissue embedding centers, tissue processors, automated stainers, knife sharpeners, centrifuges, microtomes and fume hoods through cleaning, lubricating, calibrating, defrosting,
  and maintaining constant temperatures to assure optimum working condition.
• Reports all malfunctions as they occur so that prompt repair can be performed by the biomedical engineering service.
• The rotary and freezing microtomes, as well as the automatic tissue processor, are precision instruments and require care to keep them in proper working condition to ensure optimal performance. The incumbent must have knowledge of the mechanical nature of these machines to keep them in working order.
• Maintains a running inventory of all reagents and supplies required for day-to-day operations.
• The incumbent may be assigned other duties of a related nature.

Work Schedule: M - F, 8am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 11723F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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 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 or health assessment.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.
• Certification.

1. 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: (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); (b) 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.
2. 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 manger, 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. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
3. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, non-board-certified histopathology technologists must meet one of the ASCP histotechnologist eligibility routes at the date of their appointment and must actively pursue certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the histopathology technologist with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment.
4. Loss of Certification. Employees who fail to maintain the required certification must be removed from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

• 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).
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies; be associated with the scope of histopathology technologist practice; be directly related to the position being filled; and may be paid or non-paid employment.

Grade Determinations: Histopathology Technologist, GS-9

• Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled

Assignment. At the full performance level, the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests. 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. The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods, such as immunohistochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques.

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

• Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
• Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens, and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests.
• Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.
• Skill in applying professional, anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

Preferred Experience: A strong understanding of all aspects of histopathology, including tissue processing, microtomy ( embedding and sectioning), special staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and operating automated staining systems, complex laboratory equipment, and digital pathology tools.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time, use of microscopes, some lifting loading and unloading reagent packs, sitting at desk, counter, or bench top with operations of the computer terminals, telephones, and various workstations associated with the respective instrumentations in use.

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.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility (Facility).
2. All other VA employees (Agency).
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies (Other HT38).
4. All other applicants.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• CV/Resume
• Histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps