Pathology Specialist

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Managing daily Surgical Pathology operations by prioritizing specimens, coordinating workloads, and resolving operational issues independently under the indirect supervision of a Pathologist
• Performing comprehensive gross examinations of surgical specimens, identifying anatomical structures and abnormalities, assessing disease extent, and documenting findings necessary
• Dissecting surgical specimens and selecting representative tissue sections, ensuring anatomical relationships, surgical margins, tumor characteristics, and staging requirements are accurately represented according to CAP protocols
• Assessing specimen adequacy, identification, labeling, documentation, and order accuracy while resolving discrepancies and coordinating corrective actions with submitting services
• Performing grossing procedures, including measurements, weighing, inking, photography, radiography, margin assessment, and intraoperative specimen preparation
• Conducting frozen-section procedures, including tissue preparation, microtomy, staining, coverslipping, labeling, and telepathology support while adapting established protocols to unusual specimens and urgent diagnostic requirements
• Coordinating ancillary testing, including histochemical and immunohistochemical studies, flow cytometry, cytology preparation, and molecular and reference laboratory testing, ensuring appropriate specimen selection, processing, documentation, and submission
• Investigating complex technical and operational problems involving anatomic pathology specimens, troubleshooting equipment issues, implementing corrective measures, and communicating testing requirements and diagnostic delays to providers
• Maintaining accurate records of gross photographs, tissue blocks, slides, and residual specimens while ensuring appropriate retention, disposal, infection control, personal protective equipment use, and hazardous waste management
• Administering laboratory information systems and gross dictation technologies by troubleshooting issues, developing workflows and templates, training personnel, and ensuring compliance with applicable VHA directives and accreditation standards
• Developing and revising laboratory procedures and workflows to optimize resource utilization, improve productivity, integrate new methodologies, and maintain compliance with VHA requirements and accreditation standards
• Monitoring quality indicators, including malignancy notifications, frozen-to-permanent section correlations, CAP cancer protocol completeness, and specimen identification errors, documenting findings and implementing corrective actions
• Compiling and analyzing laboratory quality data, monthly and annual statistics, audit findings, and performance trends while providing information to the VA Cancer Committee supporting Commission on Cancer compliance
• Investigating recurring errors and deficiencies through audits, inspections, and root-cause analysis, implementing corrective and preventive measures, and recommending follow-up actions to improve laboratory quality
• Representing the laboratory on institutional committees, participating in accreditation inspections and Anatomic Pathology meetings, and reviewing policies and procedures annually to maintain regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness
• Teaching anatomic pathology principles, specimen handling, gross examination, dissection techniques, and laboratory safety to pathology residents, medical students, interns, allied health professionals, and other trainees
• Instructing trainees through hands-on demonstrations at grossing benches and frozen-section areas, developing training protocols, selecting educational materials, and providing technical guidance on complex procedures
• Developing and maintaining educational resources, resident orientation materials, safety training documentation, competency evaluations, and trainee performance records while coordinating consistent instructional practices with other pathology training facilities
• Performing autopsies in rotation with residents and senior staff under Pathologist supervision, verifying consent documentation, reviewing medical records, coordinating requested viewings, and completing required autopsy documentation
• Monitoring autopsy and morgue operations for compliance with VHA directives and accreditation requirements, ensuring timely reports, identifying procedural deficiencies, and revising local policies to improve compliance
• Performing other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 08:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: The following are basic requirements for appointment as a Pathology Specialist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which all applicants must meet.

• Basic Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position (i.e., Pathology Specialist). This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)

Minimum Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one of the following minimum requirement criteria must be met to be qualified for this position.

• Specialized Experience (GS-11): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing gross examination and sectioning of surgical tissue specimens; preparing permanent and frozen sections; performing histochemical and immunohistochemical staining; operating and troubleshooting tissue processors, microtomes, and cryostats; conducting quality control and laboratory compliance activities; and applying anatomic pathology safety procedures and regulatory requirements. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) OR,
• Education (GS-11): Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e., Pathology Specialist). NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) OR,
• Combination (GS-11): Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., 36 semester hours) may be combined with experience. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION: Specialized training and graduate degree with recognized programs by National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) of Pathology Assistant is highly desired.

A Quality Ranking Factor* has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position.

• The QUALITY RANKNG FACTOR for this position is: Highly qualified candidates are certified as a Pathologists' Assistant by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

*Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor.


For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent long periods of standing (up to 7 hours per day) to perform macroscopic examinations and teaching others to do so. Recurring bending over occurs frequently when performing frozen sections, changing waste containers at workstation and cleaning contaminated surfaces. Occasional lifting of heavy items such as 5-gallon liquid chemical containers, body parts and deceased patients are required by the incumbent. The work involves utilizing a computer, visual acuity, and above average manual dexterity and the use of both hands. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Candidates who apply under "All U.S. Citizens" announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications
• Very Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
• Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
• Well qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies
• Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that meets the minimum qualifications

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).

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.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure your resume include up-to-date contact information (phone number(s), email address(s), etc.)

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

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• 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 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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (216) 791-2300.

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