Details
Posted: 30-Apr-22
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 651909000
The purpose of this position is to perform a full range of duties in the Histology laboratory. The incumbent performs routine and special histology techniques/procedures. S/he performs specialized decontamination procedures on Ventana Special Stain and Cryostat equipment. Duties include accessioning/entering clinical histories; performing difficult and complex tasks on surgical specimens; utilizing specialized techniques for examination and handling tissue, bones, marrows, and needle biopsies. 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. Specialized Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; utilizing independent judgment to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills & 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 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). Preferred Experience: n/a References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/102 PART II APPENDIX G55 Physical Requirements: Sitting for above average periods of time, light to moderate lifting and carrying, straight pulling and/or pushing, walking and/or standing, repeated bending and/or reaching above the shoulders, use of both legs, both hands and fingers, fine motor skills, ability to for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to see in both eyes, such as depth perception is required, hand-eye coordination, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), multiple repetitive motion activities and the hands, wrists, and arms. ["Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the histopathology laboratory. Evaluates and accepts or rejects specimens, using proficiency in recognizing tissues and identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous results or require special handling. Prepares specimen(s), cassettes, and tissue examination form for gross examination by the pathologist and/or Pathologist Assistants in the computer. Operates equipment such as microscopes, microtomes, tissue processor, cryostat, embedding center and automated Special stainers. Perform highly specialized decontamination techniques on Special stain instruments. Stains patient tissues slides with Automated systems and prepares and evaluates required quality control. Processes surgical, cytology and autopsy tissue specimens which are often delicate and difficult to handle through the required complex steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, microtomy, staining and cover slipping. Assists the Supervisor for preparation of protocols, papers, studies for inspection by the College of American Pathologists inspection teams. Performs established quality control and quality assurance procedure to check the accuracy and validity of work. Records, tabulates, and electronically enters data for required reports, such as LMIP, QM, QC, or quality assurance monitors. Works closely with Biomedical engineering with preventative maintenance and repairs of all equipment in the laboratory. Catalogs and properly stores both the slides and paraffin blocks per regulatory guidelines. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00a - 5:30p\nCompressed/Flexible: n/a\nTelework: n/a\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 92162-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: n/a\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): n/a\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): n/a\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]