Histopathology Technologist (Advanced)

Summary

As the Histopathology Technologist (Advanced), occupies a staff position in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and performs complex laboratory functions and performs a full range of specialized testing. In addition to histochemical and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, the technologist is responsible for advanced testing including, but not limited to, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH), and gross dissection, as dictated by the lab's needs.

Duties

• The position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Orlando VA Medical Center, under the Pathology and Laboratory Service. The purpose of this position is to perform highly specialized tasks which require special knowledge as well as being the point of contact or technical expert and advisor to laboratory and professional medical staff in the specialty of histopathology and Immunohistochemistry. As the Histopathology Technologist (Advanced), occupies a staff position in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and performs complex laboratory functions and performs a full range of specialized testing. In addition to histochemical and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, the technologist is responsible for advanced testing including, but not limited to, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH), and gross dissection, as dictated by the lab's needs. Histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests. They utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. In addition to histochemical and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, the technologist is responsible for advanced testing including, but not limited to, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), chromogenic in-situ hybridization (GISH), and gross dissection, as dictated by the lab's needs. The advanced histopathology technologist acts as the section Safety Coordinator and oversees safe handling of specimens, chemicals, and equipment by all staff and ensures adherence to safety regulations. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all processing from wet tissue to slide preparation involving anatomic pathology, i.e. surgical pathology, and autopsy pathology. The incumbent's thorough understanding of the gross appearance of normal and pathologic processes in a wide variety of patient samples allows him/her to comfortably adapt traditional and advanced methods to handle new or unique cases containing unknown abnormalities. The accuracy of the services rendered is expected to be high, given the incumbent's extensive training and expertise. The incumbent has advanced knowledge of testing techniques and advanced problem-solving capabilities and acts as a resource for other technologists. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as VHA National Enforcement Office (NEO), OIG, FDA, CAP, TJC, AABB, EPA, and OSHA. Complies with all safety requirements as outlined by VHA, facility, local, state, and federal regulations. Assist in the investigation, corrective actions, and record/document retention of FDA Manufacturer instruments/reagents' recall. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Maintains quality control records; performs all the preliminary reviews of all QC, maintenance, and corrective action logs before submitting to Supervisor for monthly review and signature. Reports any discrepancies to the Supervisor/ Director or designee. Oversees safe handling of specimens, chemicals, and equipment by all staff and ensures adherence to safety regulations. Directs and/or appropriately dispose of laboratory waste in accordance with hazardous waste policies. Receiving and accessioning samples, including verification of patient iden…

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English language proficiency: Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: (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; 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); 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, 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: 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Histopathology Technologist, GS-11:Education and Experience. 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 a directly related field that included a clinical practicum. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the advanced level, the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Must be able to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis; perform advanced procedures and analysis of tissue s…

Education

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 Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.