Supervisory Histopathology Technologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Oklahoma City seeks a Supervisory Histopathology Technologist to join the Pathology and Laboratory Service. Applicants must meet education and certification requirements and ensure high-quality histopathology work in a patient-care setting.

The role involves supervising staff, maintaining laboratory quality, and coordinating staff development. A full-time, on-site position at the VA Medical Center is offered with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required for appointment.
• English language proficiency required.
• HTL certification required or board-eligible as specified.

Responsibilities

• Supervise histopathology laboratory staff and assign work.
• Oversee quality management and regulatory compliance across the lab.
• Coordinate education and training for laboratory staff and ensure safe operations.

Skills

HTL certification

Histology techniques

Supervisory experience

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor's degree in health sciences or related field

Biology and chemistry credits totaling 30 semester hours

Master's degree or higher in histopathology or related field

Job description

The Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Pathology and Laboratory service, is currently recruiting for one (1) Supervisory Histopathology Technologist to join their team.

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: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Education- Individuals must meet one of the requirements below:

• Successful completion of 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. *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.
• 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) *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.
• 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, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. *NOTE* Copy of valid transcripts is required when submitting application.

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. *A copy of Foreign Education equivalence documentation is required when submitting application*

Certification

• Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by 3 the ASCP Board of Certification. The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam:
  • Successful completion of a histo-technician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) OR One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation, embedding, microtomy, processing, and staining in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) laboratory.

*Note- The certification exception does not apply above the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must have the HTL certification.

*Note- Copy of Valid Certification is required when submitting application

Grade Determinations

GS 11- Supervisory Histopathology Technologist

Education and Experience

To be considered eligible you must meet one of the following:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled

OR

• Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum

OR

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum.

GS 11-Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws, regulations, and accrediting/regulatory requirements, in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
• Skill in communicating with individuals to obtain the desired effect, ensuring compliance with established policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program, in addition to educating and training the laboratory staff.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution, to interact with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Ability to plan, organize, set short-term and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

Preferred Experience: Preferred MOHS experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

This vacancy is being announced Above the Full Performance Level GS-11

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019