The Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is seeking an Lead Histopathology Technologist to work in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. This position will be located in Houston, TX. If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11497367-22-ARS. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience Combination: 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 Graduates: 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. Grade Determinations: Lead Histopathology Technologist, GS-11 (1) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the instrumentation necessary to prepare specimens for diagnosis. (b) Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform a full range of routine and specialized tests. (c) Skill in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. (d) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate the impact on patient's sample. (e) Ability to monitor and make work assignments, balance workload, and ensure duties are completed in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. Preferred Experience: Qualification in Immunohistochemistry (QIHC) ASCP Certification preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/118, Part II Appendix G65, Histopathology Technologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, lifting moderately heavy items such as reagent packs and adequate dexterity to perform intricate procurement of specimens or analysis procedures. Physical characteristics and abilities such as distant and color vision, hearing, and specific agility and dexterity requirements. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Lead Histopathology Technologist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service include, but are not limited to: Responsible for monitoring specimen accessioning, processing, sectioning and staining and assures timely delivery of the slides to the Pathologist. Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications. Provides guidance to the staff in handling difficult cases. Responsible for enforcing a quality control and quality management program that encompasses all the histopathology and anatomic pathology test procedures. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. The incumbent will assist to oversee the implementation and validation of new tests. The incumbent assures that proper quality and quantity of supplies are ordered and available. Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, FDA, OSHA and Federal Regulations. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Duties and responsibilities may include any combination of those found at the GS-11 level: however, individuals in these assignments are not given the freedom of action typically found at the higher level. For example, their duties may include any of the following: Attends vendor training for a complex instrument and is responsible for training employees in its operation. Performs complex maintenance procedures and is consulted as the in-house expert for troubleshooting problems. Is responsible for updating procedure manuals for a specific laboratory function. Supervises the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist). Recommends updated guidelines and policies for non-routine or complex assignments. Coordinates under the guidance of the unit supervisor of the laboratory. Additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 580-00294-F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]