U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 9 hours ago
Histopathology Technologist
Louisville, KY
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$70K/yr - $91K/yr
1+ years expThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Histopathology Technologist who will independently perform a full range of routine and specialized tests. The role requires utilizing information technology systems and applying histopathology techniques along with scientific principles from biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Maintaining specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning and through the entire specimen processing procedure
Troubleshoot technical problems when needed
Assist the pathologist by grossing routine/surgical biopsy specimens
Advanced skills in specimen dissection and knowledge of proper orientation and appropriate tissue selection are required
Embeds the processed tissues into wax molds - ensuring the proper orientation of the various types of tissue fragments within the finished tissue block
Thorough knowledge and application of a wide variety of fixatives to include 10%buffered neutral Formalin - Cytolyt - Michele's medium - Glutaraldehyde - RPMI-1640 - etc
The incumbent should have the skills to process tissue (with the proper fixatives)
Performs routine histological techniques such as microtomy and tissue sectioning at the right thickness or microns - and tissue H&E staining
Performs a wide variety of special stains such as - PAS - AFB - Mucicarmine - Giemsa - Gram Stain - Iron - Sliver Stains such as Reticulum - Bielschowsky using automatic or manual methodologies and immunochistochemistry stains using automated stainer and also capable of controlling the staining procedures used in microscopic differentiation to achieve precise staining results
Microscopically evaluates work and make determinations to either accept or reject slides on the basis of proper staining reactions before giving them to the pathologist for clinical diagnosis
Prepares and processes Non-Gyn (Body Fluids) and Fine Needle Aspirate specimens in Thin Prep automated system and stains according to lab procedures
Assists in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite - as needed
Assists the pathologist during MPU - IR procedures - FNAs at the patient's bedside when requested
Organizes & prioritizes workload - (biopsies from routine surgicals) example: rush biopsies and responsible for the operation and maintenance of all Histology/Cytology equipment
Daily quality control and preventive maintenance and trouble shoot instruments and record the corrective actions
Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance
Performs computer functions including specimen accessioning - data entry and retrieval of information
Also - should be able to print slide labels - worksheets and logbook
Operates and maintains histology and cytology equipment such as tissue processors - cryostats - microtomy - slide printers - H&E stainer - special stain system - IHC stain system embedding module - ThinPrep automated system and other instruments involved in histology and cytology work
Responsible for inventory of reagents - receiving - labeling - and recording them for inventory purposes
Performs other ancillary duties involving tissue disposal - daily maintenance of bench work - maintenance of gross room and morgue - and other duties as assigned
Maintains Safety Data Sheet (SDS) inventory - ensuring all SDS sheets are provided to the Industrial Hygienist for uploading into database
Qualification
Required
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
Education: Individuals must meet one of the requirements below: 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 - 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 - pre-medical - 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: Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
OR - 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
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 GS-7. For grade levels at or above the full performance level GS-9 - the candidate must have HTL certification
Temporary appointments of non-board-certified histopathology technologists may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases - non-board-certified histopathology technologists must meet one of the ASCP histotechnologist eligibility routes at the date of their appointment and must actively pursue certification from the date of their appointment
At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the histopathology technologist with the written requirement to obtain certification - the date by which the certification must be acquired - and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline
Failure to obtain board certification by the prescribed date will result in removal from the histopathology technologist - GS-0601 occupational series and may result in termination of employment
Loss of Certification: Employees who fail to maintain the required certification must be removed from the histopathology technologist - GS-0601 occupation - which may result in termination of employment
English Language Proficiency
Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
Grade Determinations: GS-9: Experience
Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level which is directly related to the position to be filled
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter- connectivity
Knowledge of histopathology techniques - chemistry - anatomy and physiology principles - theories - concepts - and methodologies sufficient to process specimens - and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests
Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample
Ability to organize - coordinate - and prioritize simultaneous work assignments - both individual and team related
Skill in applying professional - anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques
Preferred
Experience assisting Pathologists performing autopsies is preferred
Company
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