Histopathology Technician
What you'd do
The Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center located in Muskogee, Oklahoma is looking to fill the vacancy of Histopathology Technician within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department.
Major duties
Duties: GS-5 (Entry Level) Receives guidance from more experienced staff members and requires frequent and direct supervision. Retrieves surgical specimens from processing and/or clinics. Verifies information on requisition and specimen containers for accuracy. Notifies supervisor and /or clinic if discrepancies are found. Accessions and labels histology specimens. Processes and prepares histology specimens according to the standard operation procedures (SOP's). Assist Pathologists when needed (i.e. frozen specimens, making tissue cassettes, retrieval of specimens and slide, recording data, miscellaneous paperwork. Keeps prep room cleaned, well stocked, and organized. Disposes of specimens according to the departments SOP's. Familiar with the handling and disposal of various reagents used in the department. Follows lab safety procedures and wears appropriate PPE while performing various tasks. Works with management to ensure laboratory is following various regulatory agencies requirements and guidelines. Prepares patient specimens and paperwork to send to reference laboratories. May perform tasks as instructed by the supervisor. GS-6 (Full-Performance) Maintains knowledge of and complies with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing tasks of the histopathology technician occupation involving anatomic pathology, i.e. surgical pathology, autopsy pathology and cytopathology. Maintains and documents the optimal function of laboratory equipment. Uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs,and performs preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance dueto instrument malfunction. Performs and documents quality control and participates in quality assurance activities. Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying histopathology and cytopathology principles. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Ensures and maintains accurate patient identification through the chain of custody of the specimen. Prepares technically adequate slides of surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining and cover slipping. Utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine needle biopsies. Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite, as needed. Work Schedule: Full-time, Mon-Fri; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 567980, 576990 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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, (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 3 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: Histopathology Technician, GS-5 (Entry Level): Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Histopathology Technician, GS-6 (Full Performance Level): Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply systems, and document control systems. Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results. 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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