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This position serves as a Histopathology Technologist for the Pathology and Laboratory Department at the VA Maine at Togus in Augusta, ME. 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: 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, premedical, 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Histopathology Technologist, GS-0601-07 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. At this level, histopathology technologists serve in developmental positions practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. Histopathology Technologist, GS-0601-09 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. 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: Includes proficiency in the following disciplines: Accessioning, cutting, embedding, grossing, staining, cover-slipping, special stains, and frozen sections. Inventory Control/Management: able to recognize inventory needs, request replacement, organize inventory. References: VHA Handbook 5005, VA Qualification Standard, Appendix G-65 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: Depending on what section of the laboratory the employee is assigned, this individual must do mix of sitting, standing and/or walking. Depending on the workload and patient mix, it could be a lot of any of these three elements. The employee must have a high degree of dexterity in use and maintenance of many complicated instruments. They are subject to color-blindness testing and must be recorded as passing for employment. ["THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on March 13, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about October 21, 2022 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. Please see the \"What To Expect Next\" area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement. Duties include but are not limited to: Receives and/or obtains specimens using appropriate techniques, maintaining proper identification. Performs elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of surgical pathology specimens. Prepares specimens for analysis according to the specifications of the procedure. Handles all types of human tissue which may include; receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Ensures all tissues are properly oriented when embedding them, according to established procedures and depending on the type of specimen being prepared (e.g. shave biopsies on edge; core biopsies to demonstrate the maximum amount of tissue). Processes all cytological specimens including sputa, body secretions, fluids and fine needle aspirates. Determines whether specimens need concentration or dilution and prepares slides established method. Stains cytological specimens separately and performs special stains when required. Recognizes origin and type of tissues and properly orients and cuts small or complex specimens, choosing section thickness per protocol/procedures. Function as assistant to anatomic pathologists by participating autopsy. Prepares frozen tissue sections for special studies which includes; selecting, freezing, cutting (microtomy) and staining Tissue for Frozen Section exam by the pathologist. Employs the cryostat. Under the direction of the supervisor maintains QA files of blocks and slides needed to perform special stains in the laboratory. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 402-F2124 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentive Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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