Pathology Specialist Assistant Job in Orlando, FL

Vacancy No. CARZ-12660717-25-AIH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $73,939.00 to $96,116.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2025 Close Date 1/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Orlando, FL


Summary

The Pathology Specialist (Pathologists' Assistant) is the leader and authority for the operation of the Surgical Pathology Section including autopsy services. The Surgical Pathology Section is a part of the Anatomic Pathology department of Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Orlando VA Medical Center which is a large acute care hospital affiliated with the University of Central Florida medical school and residency program located in Orlando, FL,

Duties

***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:

  • Oversees and performs work in the accessioning and grossing areas and directs technician(s) and technologist(s) to assure proper processing of tissue specimens, especially those requiring special handling (i.e. flow cytometry, receptor status, decalcification).
  • Evaluates, modifies, and recommends new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or enhance accuracy, timeliness, or proficiency of analyses.
  • Correlates the pathophysiology of disease processes; to recognize and identify normal tissue, abnormalities, and disease entities (both expected and unexpected); to identify the type and purpose of surgery performed, to orient the tissues. and organs to expected anatomic position; and to select samples for microscopic evaluation which enables the pathologist to provide complete diagnostic and staging information and an accurate final diagnosis upon which therapeutic decisions are based.
  • Responsible for staffing and operating the gross dissection laboratory and frozen section laboratory and training technologists/technicians, providing instruction and guidance for surgical tissue accessioning, sampling, processing, and disposition.
  • Oversees and performs work during intraoperative diagnosis using frozen section technique and during autopsy procedures to assure proper processing of human tissue specimens for complete diagnostic information to ensure a reliable final diagnosis.
  • Communicates with the surgeon during intraoperative consultation and selects tissue from fresh specimens for evaluation of macroscopic specimen adequacy and margins using frozen section technique.
  • Orients and freezes tissue sample, prepares ultra-thin sections representing the full sample margins, mounts sections on microscope slides, and stains using dyes and chemicals to properly demonstrate the nuclear and cellular components for intraoperative diagnosis and evaluation of margins.
  • Evaluates fresh specimens to investigate for lymphoma and determines the required processes to demonstrate the suspect disease. Prepares touch preparations/imprints for evaluation and submits samples using special techniques for Flow Cytometry and Bacteriology evaluation.
  • Supervises all activities related to the Autopsy Service.
  • Inspects the autopsy authorization form for completeness and correctness, coordinates with decedent affairs, and schedules histology and pathology staff to assist with the autopsy and cover all other surgical pathology duties during the procedure.
  • Collects photographs of the body, internal organs, lesions, and other pertinent findings based on identifying unique characteristics contributing to the formal diagnosis.
  • Completes post-mortem examination to include external examination; completes removal and dissection of visceral organs, brain, and spinal cord as indicated in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or anatomic variation; and collects appropriate post­mortem tissue samples and body fluids for further evaluations and for special studies ( e.g., cultures, clinical laboratory tests).
  • Trains and directly supervises the autopsy assistant throughout the autopsy procedure.
  • Coordinates autopsy scheduling of pathology residents and teaches the proper performance of post-mortem examinations (autopsies), to include external and internal examination, and removal, dissection, and thorough examination of visceral organs, brain, and spinal cord. Demonstrates and advises upon standard and specialized autopsy procedures unique to the assessment of specific disease states.
  • Creates, maintains, and revises Standard Operating Procedures for Autopsy Procedure Manual. Responsible for meeting the requirements of accreditation inspection checklists ensuring compliance.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • 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
  • 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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • A Bachelor of Health Science degree, or an equivalent or higher degree from an approved pathologists' assistant training program
  • Experience assisting with autopsy procedures
  • ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) certification for Pathologists' Assistant

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with the major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. All applicants must provide a transcript before the closing date. Any applicant that does not provide the transcript OR does not meet the basic education requirement will not receive further consideration for this position.

AND

In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must meet at least one of the following grade requirements:

GS-11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE - At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience: Experience in grossing surgical pathology specimens and frozen section services. NOTE: Your resume must reflect this experience requirement if you are qualifying based on experience.

OR

GS-11 EDUCATION: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR at least three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (Pathologist Specialist Assistant). TRANSCRIPT (official or unofficial) REQUIRED

OR

GS-11 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above. TRANSCRIPT (official or unofficial) REQUIRED

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Diagnostic Medical Testing
  • Medical Information
  • Quality Assurance
  • Technical Competence


IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires above average manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision, regular and recurring physical exertion such as the use of a manual cryostat, climbing stairs, standing for long periods of time while performing gross examinations, bending when performing frozen sections, and lifting 5-gallon containers and moving human bodies. Intense concentration in noisy and congested areas is required. Significant time using a computer is required. It is imperative that the incumbent has a high degree of tolerance and ability to work under stress which at times can be irregular and sometimes constant. Additionally, the demand for accuracy and timeliness in results to pathologists responsible for patient care is an ever-present responsibility and a constant concern. At times, immediate action is required to produce information, solve a technical issue, or interact another VA employee.

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/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

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 experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
  • Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
  • Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
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).

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.

Required Documents

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 use this checklist to 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), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
  • 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, i.e., Letter of Intent, 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 refer to the SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" and submit required documents as applicable and stated on the form. Documentation is mandatory to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/24/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12660717.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJobs account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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 (407) 631-1000.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center
Address
Orlando VA Medical Center
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, FL 32827
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications per Category Rating procedures to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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