Histopathology Technologist

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a United States citizen. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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). Grandfathering Provision.

All histopathology technologists employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, who perform the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1) Histopathology technologists who do not meet the basic requirements for education 4 and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in a supervisory or managerial position. (2) Histopathology technologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or receive a new appointment on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Histopathology technologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If histopathology technologists, who are grandfathered under this provision, leave the occupation then those employees lose grandfathered protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the histopathology technologist occupation in this series.

02CERTIFICATION

Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by 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: (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR, (b) 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.

You must provide an unexpired copy of your certification through ASCP to receive credit. Exception for Non-Board Certified. Non-board-certified candidates designated by ASCP as "board eligible," who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).

The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a histopathology technologist working under the direct oversight of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. This exception only applies at the entry level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must have HTL certification.

Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment.

GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Grade Determination criteria below: Histopathology Technologist, GS-07 (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Histopathology Technologist, GS-09 (a) Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

You must demonstrate work experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in resume to receive credit. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).In addition to meeting the experience for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume: Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.

Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens, and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests. Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample. Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related.

Skill in applying professional, anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09.

03Physical 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, pulling, 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 require 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.

A Histopathology Technologist is accountable and responsible for: Performs all elements of sectioning of all types of surgical pathology/autopsy specimens. Handles all types of human tissue which may include: receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Uses thorough knowledge of tissue processing based on the type of tissue. Able to understand and appropriately load the cassettes using the different processing protocols.

Ensures that all tissue samples are properly oriented when embedding them, according to established procedures and depending on the type of specimen being prepared (e.g. shave biopsies on edge; core biopsies to demonstrate the maximum amount of tissue). Recognizes origin and type of tissues and properly orients and cuts small or complex specimens, choosing appropriate microtome knives and section thickness. Sharpens microtome knives.

Uses knowledge and skills to use the routine auto-stainer and be familiar with manual Hematoxylin and Eosin staining procedures in case of failure of the instrument. Microscopically examines hematoxylin and eosin stained sections to assess the quality of staining. Prepares frozen tissue sections for special immunological studies which includes; selecting, freezing, cutting (microtomy) and staining tissue for Frozen Section exam by the Pathologist. Employs the cryostat.

Decontaminates, cleans and maintains the cryostat. Follows all the quality control procedures required in the frozen section area. Maintains QA files of blocks and slides needed to perform special stains and immunohistochemical stains in the laboratory. Stains tissue sections using special stains as required, including, but not limited to: Acid Fast, Alcian Blue, Congo Red, Fontana-Masson, Giemsa, Gram, Iron, Melanin, Methenamine Silver, Mucicarmine, PAS-Schiff, and Trichrome.

Incumbent should know which stain to employ to demonstrate particular tissue elements and properties (e.g. Congo Red for amyloid, Fontana­ Masson for melanin) and be able to interpret positive controls used for these procedures. As special staining requires microscopic differentiation for acceptance, examines the slides microscopically and accepts or rejects them on the basis of proper staining reaction within the control slides. Troubleshoots all problems with special staining procedures and implements changes.

All decisions involving tissue preparation for light microscopy are determined through experience and knowledge of histopathology. Prepares all stains and chemical solutions with a competent, practical knowledge of chemistry. This includes alteration and standardization of pH and concentration of the solutions (percent, molar and/or normal), reagents, buffers and stains, using pH meters, analytical balances and mixers. Since many of these reagents and solutions are toxic, caustic or flammable (e.g.

Silver solutions, formaldehyde, acids, alcohols). Performs complex immunohistochemical stains and procedures including, but not limited to, special pre-treatment procedures, antigen retrieval, enzymatic digestion, antibody diluting, and titers. Troubleshoots and corrects problems with these procedures and maintains records and QA data as necessary. Procures and maintains adequate control blocks for immunohistochemical stains.

Prepares the blocks with both positive and negative controls under the direction of the lab director. Prepares, maintains and operates instruments according to instructions. Keeps a log of preventative maintenance, temperature checks, instrument problems, etc. Recognizes instrument or equipment malfunction or trends, initiates corrective action when necessary. Performs Quality Control checks on reagents, procedures and equipment: evaluates results.

Evaluates the validity of patient data in relation to the test procedure and expected results. When data is suspected to be erroneous, investigates for obvious procedural or instrument faults and alerts the supervisor. Alerts appropriate personnel (supervisor, physician, and/or Pathologist) to critical or significantly abnormal results. Investigates and resolves problems related to surgical pathology.

Ensures that the goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. Exercises all required safety guidelines and works with great care in handling the specimens and uses personal protective equipment including face shields, masks, gloves, and laboratory coats according to established guidelines. Remains familiar with the requirements and regulations of accreditation agencies such as CAP.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-02156: GS-07; 580-00831: GS-09 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized