Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Charleston, SC seeks a Histopathology Technician at the GS-7 level under an open continuous announcement. The position may be filled as vacancies arise, with first referral cut-off dates and ongoing referrals until filled.

Candidates must meet citizenship, English proficiency, and education/experience requirements. Grandfathering provisions may apply for current VA employees; the full performance level is GS-06 with selection at GS-07.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a health care field demonstrating ability to perform related work.
• Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with chemistry/biological science courses.
• Two years of study above high school with 24 semester hours in chemistry or biological sciences plus a 12-month histopathology/cytotechnology program.
• Combination of experience and education acceptable per VA standards.

Responsibilities

Skills

One year health care experience

Pathology principles

Lab quality control oversight

Instrument troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's level courses in biological science or chemistry

Two years of study with 24+ semester hours in chemistry or biological science + 12-month histopathology/cytotechnology program

Six months health care experience + two years health care-related education or associate degree

Six months health care experience + health care technician training course

Job description

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 1, 2027. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 19, 206 with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
b. 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.

c. 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 similar training.

d. 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).

e. 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:

• Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.

• 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.

• 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 Level Requirement: Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced)

(1) Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

(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.

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: See Handbook 5019.