Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Histopathology Technician (Advanced) at the US Department of Veterans Affairs performs difficult histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures and develops or adapts staining methods to improve routine histology workflows. Applicants may be referred before all requirements are met; hire occurs after meeting education/certification criteria. Emphasis on technical oversight and QC in a high-complexity lab.

Qualifications

• Experience or education as described in VA standards for histopathology or cytotechnology.
• Ability to perform complex histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques.
• Proficiency in English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Perform histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures.
• Develop or adapt staining methods to improve routine histology workflows.
• Provide technical oversight of QC/assurance and instrument troubleshooting.

Skills

Anatomic pathology

Specialized testing

Quality control

Troubleshooting equipment

Education

Bachelor’s degree related field

Two years of chemistry/biology study + histopathology program

Job description

The Histopathology Technician (Advanced) position will have the responsibility of performing difficult histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures, as well as developing, modifying, or adapting new staining methods or techniques, improving existing methods as necessary for routine histotechnology procedures.

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.
• 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.

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-7 (Advanced)

Experience

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

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 GS07.

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, puling, 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 requires 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.