Summary

The incumbent serves as Quality Management Histopathology Technologist in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at the VA TVHS - Nashville Campus and serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation to histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work.

Qualifications

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
• Education: Possess 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
• OR - Possess a 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)
• OR - 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 - premedical - medical lab technology - chemistry - immunology - physiology - anatomy
• 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
• Certification: possess a current histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification
• Additional to the basic requirements - applicants must meet the following grade determination requirements
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience / Education: Must meet one of the following: (a) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• or (b) Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum
• or (c) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or directly related to the field that included a clinical practicum
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies - quality management standards - procedures and principles - as well as safety practices and regulations
• (b) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations and ensuring continuous readiness for inspections
• (c) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization
• (d) Ability to analyze quality assurance data and resolve complex data issues
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing - walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center
• The work involves manual dexterity - visual acuity - and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• intermittent - but possible 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.

Duties

• The histopathology technologist also provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services as they related to Anatomic Pathology to all levels of management throughout the organization
• Major Duties: Provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services to all levels of management throughout the organization
• Histopathology technologist maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback
• Analyzes - identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data
• The histopathology technologist monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators
• Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing
• Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies
• Leads histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work - providing guidance to staff members - to include changes in policies and procedures
• distributing and balancing workload
• orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees
• and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of assigned areas
• Independently performs a full range of specialized tests - applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology - chemistry - anatomy - and physiology
• Operates - maintains - and troubleshoots instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis
• Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens
• Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research - test protocol setup - validation testing - record keeping - and documentation
• Researches - develops - tests - optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains - immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols - including - but not limited to - new antibodies - probes - detection protocols/kits - new lots and concentrated antibody titrations
• Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues
• Identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples
• Monitors and makes work assignments - provides input on performance - resolves daily workplace issues - and maintains efficient workflow
• Assures coverage of all areas of responsibility
• conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work
• Functions as an assistant to anatomic pathologists by accessioning - examining - dissecting - and processing of tissue samples in Surgical Pathology - by participating in gross autopsy dissection as diener on an as needed basis (when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable)
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Histopathology Technologist (Quality Management) / 70216F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized