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Summary The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The position is located within the San Francisco VA Medical Center and reports to the Histophathology/Cytopathology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Department. The Histopathology Technician serves as the point of contact or technical expert and advisor to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of surgical pathology and cytology. Responsibilities PROCESSING SURGICAL, CYTOLOGY AND AUTOPSY SPECIMENS 1. Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the pathology laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample collection, labeling and transport requirements. Makes sure two unique patient identifiers are on each sample. Evaluates, accepts or rejects specimens, using proficiency in recognizing tissue from any part of the body and identifies discrepancies which may cause erroneous results or require special handling. Makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Interacts with supervisor and hospital personnel to correct discrepancies. 2. Records patient and specimen data into the computer system using two unique patient identifiers. Prepares specimens for tissue examination and performs dissection and gross examination of biopsies and simple anatomical specimens. 3. 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 is able to take corrective action. 4. Sections paraffin blocks of tissue and mounts paraffin sections on slides. Sections are cut at proper thickness (2-5 microns) according to tissue type or as required for special staining procedures. Sections contain a minimal, unavoidable number of artifacts. 5. Stains routine slides using computerized strainers with hematoxylin and eosin for studying nuclear and cytoplasmic details of tissues. Checks for proper differentiation, dehydration and clearing. Control tissue is evaluated and results documented. 6. Prepares cytological specimens for examination using the following principles: homogenization, filtration and biochemical processing. Assists in the collection of fine needle aspiration biopsies for immediate diagnosis from the clinics, patient's bedside, and Special Procedure room in Imaging Services. Responsible for knowing appropriate fixation techniques for any special studies that may be appropriate. 7. Cover slips 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. 8. Operates equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, cassette labeler, thin-prep cytology processor, microtomes, tissue processor, cryostat, embedding center and stainers. Calibrates, performs preventive maintenance and records required function checks. Reports needed repairs to biomedical engineer. 9. Maintenance and inventory for all stains, supplies and reagents used in histopathology and order laboratory supplies. Maintenance of work records including temperature records, preventive maintenance records etc. as assigned by the supervisor. 10. Maintains a safe, clean and professional work area and is responsible for safe work practices of the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory to assure that they comply with accreditation and regulatory requirements. 11. Assists in training personnel, newer staff and students in laboratory safety and laboratory policies and procedures. Participates in the Quality and Performance Improvement plan for Anatomic Pathology. 12. Monitors specimens, reagents, equipment and the environment for contamination and assists in decontamination and safe handling and disposal of chemicals. Prepares and ships specimens required for consultation or to reference laboratories. 13. Complies with all regulatory agencies such as CAP, JCAHO, OSHA and VA guidelines. 14. The incumbent may be assigned other duties by the supervisor or the service chief within the incumbent's skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the service. FROZEN SECTION COVERAGE 1. Performs procedures in the frozen section laboratory. Orients, cuts and stains any specimens submitted for intra operative consultations, including minute biopsies for rapid diagnosis by the pathologist with no margin for error. 2. Prepares quality frozen sections per accrediting agency guidelines to provide rapid diagnosis in surgical cases. MAINTAINS REPORTS, RECORDS AND MATERIALS 1. Performs established quality control and quality assurance procedure to check the accuracy and validity of work. Records information daily. Identifies unusual discrepancies/ conditions that may cause erroneous results (i.e. malfunctions, conditions of test performance, reaction systems and/or test procedure used). 2. Daily records temperature charts of refrigerators, water baths, rooms, equipment's. 3. Maintains inventory of supplies and reagents. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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). 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. Experience and Education(1) 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,(2) 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,(3) 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:(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 Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English 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-7 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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: 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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.