Pathology Specialist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Pathology Specialist at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH.

The role involves planning and executing pathology assignments under a Pathologist's supervision, with emphasis on gross examination, tissue processing, and histology. The ideal candidate will have a pathology-related bachelor's or graduate degree and relevant experience or education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or graduate degree in a medical field related to pathology
• Unofficial transcript required; transcript submission needed for review
• 1 year specialized experience or 3 years graduate education acceptable for GS-11

Responsibilities

• Plan and independently carry out assignments under supervision of a Pathologist
• Perform gross examination and tissue processing, sectioning, and staining
• Ensure quality control and regulatory compliance in the laboratory

Skills

Gross examination and tissue section

Histochemical and immunohistochemical

Operate tissue processors

Quality control & compliance

Anatomic pathology safety procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in pathology/health sciences

Graduate degree in pathology related field

Tools

Tissue processors

Microtomes

Cryostats

Job description

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. The Pathology Specialist is responsible for independently plannig and carrying out assignments to accomplish the goals of the service under the supervision of a Pathologist or Designee.

Basic Requirement

• Basic Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position (i.e., Pathology Specialist). This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)

Minimum Requirement

• Specialized Experience (GS-11): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing gross examination and sectioning of surgical tissue specimens; preparing permanent and frozen sections; performing histochemical and immunohistochemical staining; operating and troubleshooting tissue processors, microtomes, and cryostats; conducting quality control and laboratory compliance activities; and applying anatomic pathology safety procedures and regulatory requirements. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.)
• Education (GS-11): Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e., Pathology Specialist). NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part‑time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full‑time study at the school attended. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)
• Combination (GS-11): Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., 36 semester hours) may be combined with experience. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)

Preferred Experience/Certification

Specialized training and graduate degree with recognized programs by National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) of Pathology Assistant is highly desired.

Quality Ranking Factor

• The QUALITY RANKNG FACTOR for this position is: Highly qualified candidates are certified as a Pathologists' Assistant by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Quality ranking factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements

The work requires regular and recurrent long periods of standing (up to 7 hours per day) to perform macroscopic examinations and teaching others to do so. Recurring bending over occurs frequently when performing frozen sections, changing waste containers at workstation and cleaning contaminated surfaces. Occasional lifting of heavy items such as 5‑gallon liquid chemical containers, body parts and deceased patients are required by the incumbent. The work involves utilizing a computer, visual acuity, and above average manual dexterity and the use of both hands. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly 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.