Histopathology Technician

Summary

This Histopathology Technician position is located within the Pathology & Laboratory service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. The position is part-time at 20 hours per week

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Duties

The purpose of this position is to independently oversee and maintain all aspects of the Pathology section of the Laboratory. This position serves as the technical expert and advisor to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of histopathology. Independently performs both routine and complex histological procedures. Primary function includes performing difficult and complex tasks on surgical, autopsied, hematopoietic and cytological specimens; utilizing specialized techniques for the examination and handling of tissue, cell buttons, bones, marrows and needle biopsies; and preparing technically adequate slides of tissue sections by processing tissue blocks, embedding tissue , cutting, staining and cover slipping. Duties include, but not limited to:

• Accessions and labels specimens using two full patient identifiers. Prepares specimen(s) and tissue examination form for gross examination by the pathologist in the computer. o Using principles of histotechnology, processes surgical, cytology and autopsy tissue specimens which are often delicate and difficult to handle through the required, complex steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, microtomy, staining and cover slipping.
• Recognizes improperly processed tissue and under­ decalcified tissue and is able to take corrective action.
• Sections paraffin blocks of tissue and mounts paraffin sections on slides. Sections are cut at proper thickness (2-10 microns) according to tissue type or as required for special staining procedures Sections contain a minimal, unavoidable number of artifacts.
• Prepares cytological specimens for transportation to testing site. Specimens include but are not limited to fine needle aspiration biopsies for immediate diagnosis from the clinics, respiratory samples, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, body fluids, among others. Responsible for knowing appropriate fixation techniques for any special studies that may be appropriate.
• Covers slides choosing the right kind of mounting medium depending on the kind of stain. The labeled slides are checked for accuracy and legibility and distributed to the pathologist for examination and diagnosis. Both the slides and paraffin blocks are stored as per regulatory guidelines.
• Operates equipment such as microscopes, microtomes, tissue processor, cryostat, embedding center and strainers.
• Calibrates, performs preventive maintenance and records required function checks. Reports needed repairs to Biomedical engineer.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; Part-time 1st Shift; rotating as needed.

Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized.

Telework: Not Authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: F1290

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Notifications:

• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 10/2/2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 4/17/2025, with subsequent cut-off dates bi-weekly. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
  
  

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Requirements

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.
• 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. 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.
• 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

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:

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  United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only 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 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part.
• 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. Examples are listed below:
• 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.
• 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.

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

GS-07: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). 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: 1-3 years experience as a Histology Technician performing duties including but not limited to the following. Verifying the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper collection, labeling and transport requirements. Preparing specimens and tissue form for the gross examination, processing surgical, cytology, and autopsy tissue specimens. Preparing paraffin blocks, complex steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, microtomy, staining and cover slipping.



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



Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring risks and discomforts associated with working in a clinic. This work requires physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of standing and some bending and lifting as required for the handling of supplies and equipment. In addition, manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

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.

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