Summary The Supervisory Histopathology Technologist in this assignment performs the full range of supervisory duties for the Histology, Cytology, Autopsy, Telepathology, and Frozen Sections of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. Responsibilities The Supervisory Histopathology Technologist is responsible for the assignment of work; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions; and identification of continuing education and training needs. The incumbent ensures compliance with the accrediting agency and regulatory requirements, establishes, and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and initiates corrective action. This individual will develop policies and procedures, manage document control, develop performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements. The supervisor is responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area, to include budget execution, orientation, and competency assessment of assigned staff. The supervisor will maintain effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Promoting efficiency among the staff by giving specific assigned duties and training for new procedures through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice or making recommendations on the basis of technical disciplines. Evaluating staff performance against preset standards. The responsibility includes development of performance standards, developing job descriptions, evaluating work performance, counseling of employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, and initiating disciplinary actions when necessary. Identifies areas of weakness in the staff and provides training to improve individual performance. He/she develops and maintains a career development program for laboratory personnel, identifies training needs and arranges for and conducts in-service training. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining adequate staffing levels. Implementing, maintaining, and evaluating procedures and policies in Anatomic Pathology to ensure compliance with accrediting agency standards (VHA National Enforcement Office, College of American Pathologists and TJC). Evaluating, modifying, or adapting new methods or revising standard techniques to improve or expand services. Comparing new methods with existing or referencing methods by performance and suitability (analysis of cost, convenience, and efficiency). Responsible for procedures for Histological and Cytological tests to be performed in the Histology Department. Develops and implements the use of protocols for performance of procedures. Monitors conformity to protocols. Evaluates new procedures, reagents, and instrumentation available commercially and determines the appropriateness and feasibility of their incorporation in the section. Assessing advances in the field for relevance to the practice of Histologic and Cytologic studies. Developing procedures and establishing parameters for correlation of tests results and preset troubleshooting protocols. Procuring supplies, equipment and instrumentation and assuring compliance with budgetary limitations. Evaluates and advises on contract services. Selects media, reagents and supplies to be purchased from manufacturers, and maintains appropriate inventory controls to monitor their consumption. Devising program plans for the immediate and long-range development of the section, by reviewing and evaluating the validity and effectiveness of existing programs. Independently performing both routine and complex histological procedures, as needed. Establishing a preventive maintenance program, and quality control procedures for all instruments used in the sections. Maintains and review records of all quality control (reagents and equipment) procedures performed in the department. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm, Monday - Friday, the tour of duty covers the first shift of a busy medium sized 24 hour Hospital Laboratory and extended hours coverage based on facility needs. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 82379F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. 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. Supervisory Histopathology Technologist, GS-12: 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/. This position is being filled above the full performance level at GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting of 15-50 pounds, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking 4-8 hours, standing 4-8 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, and use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include vision for both eyes, depth perception, the ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, and the ability to read ordinary @type without strain. The incumbent must have adequate hearing (aids permitted), and the emotional stability and mental stability to deal with stressful situations. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
