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Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• 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 - 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
• (1) 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)
• 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
• Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-12 you must have the following
• Experience
• Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws - regulations - and accrediting/regulatory requirements in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory
• (b) Skill in communicating with individuals - in order to obtain the desired effect - ensuring compliance with established policies - regulations - and procedures
• (c) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties - which includes responsibility for assignment of work - performance evaluations - selection of staff - recommendation of awards - advancements - and disciplinary actions
• (d) Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program - and/or education and training of the laboratory staff
• (e) Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in order to deal with employees - team leaders - and managers
• (f) Ability to plan - organize - set short and/or long-term goals - and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems - including fiscal matters - budget execution - personnel shortages - organizational structure - and new technology
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: See VA directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to the following: As the Supervisory Histopathology Technologist - the incumbent acts as administrative consultant and advisor to employees of PLMS and as a technical advisor to clinical services
• The incumbent performs related administrative assignments necessary to the achievement of the program goals of the service
• The incumbent is responsible for all supervisory duties required for personnel management to include ensuring adequate staffing and coverage by qualified personnel
• The incumbent has full and final technical authority for the work performed in the sections - ensuring that laboratory test results are complete and accurate and meet all standards
• He/she is the authority in technical decision making
• The incumbent develops - implements - maintains - and evaluates protocols - procedures and policies in Histological and Cytological services to ensure compliance with accrediting agency standards
• Monitors conformity to protocols
• Evaluates new procedures - reagents and instrumentation available commercially and determines the appropriateness and feasibility of their incorporation in the section
• Monitors compliance with policies and procedures and addresses noncompliance
• Checks laboratory work in progress - technical procedures and provides assistance in areas where difficulty is encountered by technical personnel
• Reviews results - maintains records - and assures compliance with quality control - safety standards - proficiency testing programs - accreditation requirements and agency policies
• The incumbent performs staff orientation - training - and provide continuing education of Histology - Cytology and Autopsy processes and procedures
• Instruction is provided at the bench and through discussions of relevant topics
• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the availability and procurement of supplies - equipment and instrumentation and assures compliance with budgetary limitations
• Is administratively responsible for contractual arrangements and obligations - technical capabilities - cost of operation - and personnel requirements for laboratory equipment needed for the Department
• May serve as the Contracting Officer Representative for the department
• Performs and evaluates all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens performed by subordinate staff
• Conducts proficiency testing within his/her sections and discusses the results with the technical staff as part of their continuing medical education
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Day - w/rotating weekends/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Rodney.Belk@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized