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Summary The Histopathology Technician Advanced primary duties involve technical work subordinate to the work of the pathologists or other providers who make the final diagnostic examinations of specimens of human tissue and/or cell preparations. Responsibilities The Histopathology Technician Advanced duties include, but are not limited to the following: Performs specialized and complex immunohistochemical staining of tissue samples as well as routine histopathology work such as complex analyses to assess the diagnostic value of tissue. Must be able to utilize both semi-automated and fully-automated instrumentations. Rapidly performs error-free microtomy of frozen sections with use of a cryostat Develops protocols and test appropriate quality control materials and implement Quality Improvement protocols for this section. Fixation and processing of surgical bone marrow and cytologic specimens, including but not limited to dehydration, clearing, infiltration, sectioning, and staining of histological materials and the preparation and staining of cytological specimens. Decalcification of tissues to provide optimal quality section, embedding tissue to give proper orientation for diagnostic interpretation. Preparing Smears, cell blocks, and monolayers by ThinPrep according to standard techniques and applying appropriate stains. Preparing tissue for transport using appropriate preservative and determines the correct handling for each specimen. Performs specimen transport/retrieval from other areas of the Medical Center as needed and will accession histological and cytological specimens. Packages specimens, slides, and reports for transport to other facilities and ensures accurate documentation of same. Investigates, evaluates and establishes quality control materials for measuring the validity and accuracy of results, Operates all equipment (including required maintenance and QC functions) in the section and can adapt equipment for specialized procedures. Responsible for troubleshooting instrumentation and if possible, resolving problems. Conserving maintenance equipment records, documentation of equipment checks, temperature monitoring, and determine accuracy of staining procedures via control standards. Maintains compliance with CAP, Joint Commission, and VA accreditation standards, policies, and procedures for anatomic pathology. Determines that specimens are correctly labeled and have appropriate request information and will find solutions to problems of incorrect or inadequate labeling, wrong preservative used, inadequate specimens, etc. Assists in the collection and interpretation of data for Anatomic Pathology QA programs. Routinely assists Pathologist with grossing of tissues, provides items necessary to conduct gross in an efficient and organized manner. Maintains an accurate filing system or organization of histological materials so the blocks, slides, and tissues are retrievable with minimum effort. Trains other health care workers including technicians, technologists, nurses, and administrative personnel concerning Anatomical Pathology specimen collection. Participates in the orientation and training of new employees in the Anatomic Pathology section. Must demonstrate high quality Customer Service using skill, tact, and professional courtesy when dealing with these contacts. Work Schedule: 0700 am to 3:30 pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. 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: 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: (a) 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 (b) 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:(a) 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.(b) 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 Certification: None 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). Grandfathering Provision. All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (a) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. (b) 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. (c) Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and perform complex instrument troubleshooting. (d) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems. Preferred Experience: At least 2 years' experience working in a multi-faceted Anatomic Pathology laboratory. The candidate is currently ASCP HT certified and has completed a NAACLS approved Histotechnician Program. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moderate lifting to perform tasks and procedures with instruments and other equipment. It also requires specific physical characteristics, abilities, and dexterity needed to perform intricate analytical and technical procedures. The employee may be required to spend long periods of time before a computer screen and using a keyboard. The employee must have normal color vision. 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. 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.