Histopathology Technologist

Summary

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. The Histopathology Technologist performs a variety of routine to highly complex histological testing, including routine Histology, special stains, frozen sections, immunohistochemistry, & direct immunofluorescence.

Duties

• 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 appro…

Qualifications

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: 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. CERTIFICATION: 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 ca…

Education

EDUCATION: The candidate must possess one of the below degrees: (1) 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; You must submit a transcript showing you were awarded a bachelor's or higher degree meeting the above requirements to receive credit. OR, (2) 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); You must submit a transcript showing you were awarded a bachelor's degree meeting the outlined requirements to receive credit. OR, (3) 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. You must submit a transcript showing you completed two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree that meets the above requirements to receive credit. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Forei…