Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Some of the duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Specimen Processing and Grossing

• Gross Examination: Performs microscopic tissue gross examinations and assists pathologists with macroscopic exams.
• Specimen Preparation: Prepares and processes surgical tissue, autopsy tissue, and various body fluids (sputum, spinal fluid, pleural/joint fluids, cervical-vaginal smears, urine, etc.) for slide preparation, staining, and microscopic diagnosis.
• Fixation and Processing: Performs fixation (stabilizing protein to preserve tissue architecture) and processes tissue through dehydration, clearing, and impregnation with paraffin.
• Embedding and Cutting: Orients and embeds tissue into paraffin blocks. Performs decalcification on ossified tissue/bone marrow, ensuring proper balance to preserve microscopic architecture while allowing for section cutting.
• Cytology Preparation: Prepares Non-gynecological cytology specimens using Thin Prep or cyto-centrifugation techniques (e.g., spinal fluids). Prepares and processes cell blocks from body fluids, including cutting, slide preparation, and staining. Processes Gynecological specimens, determines need for and aliquots for HPV testing per SOP.
• Microtomy: Cuts tissue paraffin blocks on a rotary microtome for routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, special stains, histochemical stains, and immunoperoxidase stains. Uses a cryostat to cut frozen tissue sections for STAT/immediate diagnosis, immunofluorescence, histochemical, and fat/lipid stains.
• Staining and QC: Performs routine H&E stain and a variety of special stains (manual and automated) and immunohistological techniques (immunoperoxidase methods) to aid diagnosis by demonstrating antigens. Troubleshoots staining issues to ensure optimal results and maintains close quality control on all stains.
• Finalizing Slides: Mounts slides with glass cover slips and labels them with complete and correct information.

Reagent, QA, and Support Functions

• Reagent Preparation: Prepares chemical stains and solutions for histology and cytology, buffering and checking pH as necessary to ensure diagnostic quality. Maintains adequate stock of fixing, dehydrating, clearing, and staining solutions.
• Methodology Evaluation: Assists the supervisor in evaluating new methodologies, applying scientific knowledge to predict test performance, developing, and validating procedures, and ensuring policies are current.
• Quality and Compliance: Oversees quality assurance and quality management across the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases, ensuring adherence to regulatory codes and standards. Participates in program objective reviews and compliance evaluations. Identifies and resolves issues impacting daily turnaround time (TAT).
• Reporting and Records: Accessions all specimens (surgical, autopsy, body fluids) to prevent mix-ups. Numbers and files tissue blocks, slides, and gross specimens, and prepares gross tissue for disposal weekly. Maintains the workload recording system (blocks cut, slides prepared/stained). Prepares slides for conferences, studies, and other hospitals/pathologists upon request. Prepares monthly quality assurance reports.
• Procedure Assistance: Assists resident pathologists during grossing, prepares cassettes, and answers questions. Instructs doctors/nursing personnel on proper specimen collection and preparation. Prepares slide smears and cell blocks from percutaneous needle aspirates (CT-guided or bedside FNA) to assist radiologists/physicians. Assists with renal biopsies, separating tissue for H&E, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescent studies. Ensures clinical personnel have proper collection containers and solutions.
• Training: Actively participates in and provides training to new employees and clinical staff on new methodologies and instrumentation.

Equipment Maintenance and Safety

• Maintenance: Maintains all histology equipment (cryostats, microtomes, tissue processors, automated stainers, etc.) through daily, weekly, monthly, or as-needed cleaning, lubricating, calibrating, and temperature control to ensure optimum working condition. Documents performance and calibration procedures.
• Troubleshooting: Troubleshoots instruments, equipment, reagents, controls, and patient specimens, following established guidelines, documenting steps, and notifying the supervisor if unable to resolve the issue.
• Inventory: Maintains a running inventory of all reagents and supplies.
• Safety and Compliance: Complies with established laboratory and hospital policies for standard precautions and safety when handling blood/body fluids and chemicals. Wears required protective devices and attire, follows safety policies, reports hazards, and ensures proper disposal of waste. Completes all required annual safety and infection control training.

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 health evaluation.
• 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

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:

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. 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:

1. Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR,
2. 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

• 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.

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:
Lead Histopathology Technologist, GS-11
Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following:

1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; OR,
2. Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; OR,
3. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology, or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum.

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

1. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis.
2. Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests.
3. Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
4. Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample.
5. Ability to monitor and make work assignments, balance workload, and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work.

Assignment. 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. The lead histopathology technologist may lead other histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work. At this level, the lead histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Must be able to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis. Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens. The lead histopathology technologist must be skilled in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing, record keeping, and documentation. Researches, develops, tests, optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols, including, but not limited to, new antibodies, probes, detection protocols/kits, new lots and concentrated antibody titrations. Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues. The lead histopathology technologist identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples. Monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and maintains efficient workflow. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work; providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas.

Preferred Experience: Demonstrated experience working in a clinical laboratory with specific sills in microscopic tissue gross examinations, tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, automated staining systems, digital pathology, laboratory information systems, specialized techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), and experience with laboratory accreditation standards. Must also have experience in a leadership role.

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-11.

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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other Document: Full Resume/CV
• PCS Orders
• 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.

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