Histopathology Technologist

Description:

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12883163-26-TH.

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. The Histopathology Technologist performs a variety of routine to highly complex histological testing, including routine Histology, special stains, frozen sections, immunohistochemistry, & direct immunofluorescence.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a United States citizen. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

EDUCATION:

The candidate must possess one of the degrees below:
(1) Successful completion of a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, that included a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a histopathology technologist, such as, but not limited to clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy; You must submit a transcript showing you were awarded a bachelor's or higher degree meeting the above requirements to receive credit.

OR,
(2) Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both); You must submit a transcript showing you were awarded a bachelor's degree meeting the outlined requirements to receive credit.

OR,

(3) Successful completion of two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, with a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the position of histopathology technologist, such as clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre- medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. You must submit a transcript showing you completed two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree that meets the above requirements to receive credit.

CERTIFICATION:
Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam:

(a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS);

OR,

(b) One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation, embedding, microtomy, processing, and staining in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) laboratory. You must provide an unexpired copy of your certification through ASCP to receive credit.

Exception for Non-Board Certified. Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as "board eligible," who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. This exception only applies at the entry level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must have HTL certification. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment.

GRADE DETERMINATION:
In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Grade Determination criteria below:

Histopathology Technologist, GS-07
(a) Experience . None beyond the basic requirements.

Histopathology Technologist, GS-09
(a) Experience .
Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. You must demonstrate work experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in resume to receive credit.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) .
In addition to meeting the experience for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume:

1. Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
2. Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens, and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests.
3. Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample.
4. Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.
5. Skill in applying professional, anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.

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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.