Histopathology Technologist (Quality Management)

The incumbent serves as Quality Management Histopathology Technologist in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at the VA TVHS, Nashville Campus and serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation to histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work.

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. Education: Possess 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; OR, Possess a 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); OR, 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, premedical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification: possess a current histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. Additional to the basic requirements, applicants must meet the following grade determination requirements. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience / Education: Must meet one of the following: (a) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; or (b) Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; or (c) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or directly related to the field that included a clinical practicum. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, quality management standards, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. (b) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations and ensuring continuous readiness for inspections. (c) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. (d) Ability to analyze quality assurance data and resolve complex data issues. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves manual dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.