Histopathology Technician (Advanced)
The duties and responsibilities of an Advanced Histopathology Technician include, but are not limited to the following:
Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider. Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system. Embedding tissue of all sizes in the proper medium and in the proper manner for correct sectioning. Operates the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness requested by the pathologist. Performs routine and special stains as requested by the pathologist. Correctly coverslips preparations so that there are no artifacts produced. Can ascertain the need for and perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as EM preparations and bone decalcification. Performs frozen section preparations. Frozen section preparation includes selection of pathogenic portions of the specimen; marking it for correct orientation and identification of the tumor margins, freezing the unfixed specimen; sectioning it with a cryostat microtome and staining and cover slipping. Performs staining of tissue sections, including histochemical, immunohistochemical and other advanced staining techniques. Assists the pathologist with surgical gross description and processing. Assists the pathologist, radiologist, endocrinologist or other provider during specimen collection of fine needle aspirations and bone marrow. S/he prepares specialized touch preparations and aspirate smears in accordance with protocol. Serves as an autopsy assistant. Assists in the evaluation and implementation in the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the Histology Section. Assists in writing and updating procedure manuals in the assigned sections (Histology). Keeps abreast of new technology. Assists in the Quality Improvement and Quality Control programs in Histopathology. Assists with ensuring that the department policies meet the requirements of regulatory and accrediting agencies such as CAP, JCAHO, and OSHA. Assists in preparation, packaging and shipping of specimens to be submitted for quality assurance programs and for professional consultation. Consults with physicians and medical staff about specimens submitted for testing. Provides technical guidance to technicians when quality control or instrument problems occur. Assists in inventory and ordering of supplies and reagents for the section, keeping sufficient inventory to avoid emergent orders but not outdating reagents. Trains the same and lower grade technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Report and resolve clinical, business operational, technical issues through approved channels. Work Schedule:
Full-Time. Monday- Friday, Variable hours on dayshift Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Recruitment/Relocation Incentives:
Not authorized 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. 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 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. Certification. None English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations:
Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced) (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Assignment. Histopathology technicians at this level generally have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight, and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. The incumbent will have the responsibility of performing difficult specialized histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical procedures, as well as developing, modifying, or adapting new staining methods or techniques, improving existing methods as necessary for routine histotechnology procedures. The technician will be responsible for troubleshooting issues with instruments and resolving problems. 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (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. References:
VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G55 The full performance level of this vacancy is 7 Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurrent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moderate lifting to perform tasks and procedures with instruments and other equipment. It also requires specific physical characteristics, abilities, and dexterity needed to perform intricate analytical and technical procedures. The employee may be required to spend long periods of time before a computer screen and using a keyboard. The employee must have normal color vision. Work Environment:
The work environment includes risk of exposure, discomfort, and/or irritation associated with regular and recurrent use of hazards such as infectious materials, hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic reagents (e.g. formaldehyde) and sharp objects (e.g. scalpel blades and microtome knives). The incumbent must use appropriate PPEs, (protective clothing, gloves, face masks, safety goggles, mechanical pipetting devices and biologic safety hoods) as indicated by established safety procedure. The applicant is required to read and follow guidelines stated in P&LMS and medical center safety manuals.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider. Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system. Embedding tissue of all sizes in the proper medium and in the proper manner for correct sectioning. Operates the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness requested by the pathologist. Performs routine and special stains as requested by the pathologist. Correctly coverslips preparations so that there are no artifacts produced. Can ascertain the need for and perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as EM preparations and bone decalcification. Performs frozen section preparations. Frozen section preparation includes selection of pathogenic portions of the specimen; marking it for correct orientation and identification of the tumor margins, freezing the unfixed specimen; sectioning it with a cryostat microtome and staining and cover slipping. Performs staining of tissue sections, including histochemical, immunohistochemical and other advanced staining techniques. Assists the pathologist with surgical gross description and processing. Assists the pathologist, radiologist, endocrinologist or other provider during specimen collection of fine needle aspirations and bone marrow. S/he prepares specialized touch preparations and aspirate smears in accordance with protocol. Serves as an autopsy assistant. Assists in the evaluation and implementation in the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the Histology Section. Assists in writing and updating procedure manuals in the assigned sections (Histology). Keeps abreast of new technology. Assists in the Quality Improvement and Quality Control programs in Histopathology. Assists with ensuring that the department policies meet the requirements of regulatory and accrediting agencies such as CAP, JCAHO, and OSHA. Assists in preparation, packaging and shipping of specimens to be submitted for quality assurance programs and for professional consultation. Consults with physicians and medical staff about specimens submitted for testing. Provides technical guidance to technicians when quality control or instrument problems occur. Assists in inventory and ordering of supplies and reagents for the section, keeping sufficient inventory to avoid emergent orders but not outdating reagents. Trains the same and lower grade technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Report and resolve clinical, business operational, technical issues through approved channels. Work Schedule:
Full-Time. Monday- Friday, Variable hours on dayshift Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Recruitment/Relocation Incentives:
Not authorized 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. 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 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. Certification. None English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). All Histopathology Technicians employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations:
Histopathology Technician, GS-7 (Advanced) (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Assignment. Histopathology technicians at this level generally have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight, and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. The incumbent will have the responsibility of performing difficult specialized histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical procedures, as well as developing, modifying, or adapting new staining methods or techniques, improving existing methods as necessary for routine histotechnology procedures. The technician will be responsible for troubleshooting issues with instruments and resolving problems. 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (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. References:
VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G55 The full performance level of this vacancy is 7 Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurrent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moderate lifting to perform tasks and procedures with instruments and other equipment. It also requires specific physical characteristics, abilities, and dexterity needed to perform intricate analytical and technical procedures. The employee may be required to spend long periods of time before a computer screen and using a keyboard. The employee must have normal color vision. Work Environment:
The work environment includes risk of exposure, discomfort, and/or irritation associated with regular and recurrent use of hazards such as infectious materials, hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic reagents (e.g. formaldehyde) and sharp objects (e.g. scalpel blades and microtome knives). The incumbent must use appropriate PPEs, (protective clothing, gloves, face masks, safety goggles, mechanical pipetting devices and biologic safety hoods) as indicated by established safety procedure. The applicant is required to read and follow guidelines stated in P&LMS and medical center safety manuals.
- Department:
0646 Pathology Technician - Salary Range:
$44,944 to $58,423 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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