Lead Histopathology Technologist

Duties include but are not limited 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.
• Performs both routine and complex specialized histology techniques and procedures/tests.
• Performance of specialized decontamination maintenance and troubleshooting procedures on complex Histopathology equipment.
• Primary function includes performing advanced complex techniques on surgical autopsied hematopoietic and cytological specimens utilizing
• specialized techniques for the examination and handling a wide variety of tissue specimens for routine histological processing including cytology material bone marrow specimens and needle biopsies while preparing technically adequate slides of tissue sections by processing tissue blocks embedding tissue cutting staining and cover slipping.
• Research develop tests optimizes and validate complex histochemical stains immunohistochemistry (IHC) processes and/or in- situ hybridization (ISH) protocols.
• Operates computerized laboratory equipment that fixes dehydrates and infiltrates tissue with wax to be preserved for diagnosis by Pathologists.
• Sets and monitors workflow for all bench staff members ensuring that all essential tasks are performed orderly and efficiently to in the accomplishment of the units goals.

Work Schedule: 08:00am-04:30pm Monday-Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized.
Functional Statement #: FS 95410-A
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• Citizenship. Candidates must be a United States citizen. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
• 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 bachelors 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 masters 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
• 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).

Grade Determinations: For the GS-11 you 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.

In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate all 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 patients 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work is performed in the anatomic pathology section of the laboratory within the Cleveland VAMC. Specimens are considered potentially hazardous and biohazard precautions must be followed. Use of toxic or caustic materials during procedures may be required. Personal protective equipment must be used. Safety regulations are followed as appropriate for each procedure and/or potential safety hazards must be reported to the Supervisory Histology Technologist and/or facility Safety Officer for investigation and follow-up. The work requires regular physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of sitting standing handling of supplies and equipment and bending/lifting of items up to 25lbs. In addition manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures.