Histopathology Technician (Lead)

Veterans Health Administration • Nashville, TN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Histopathology Technician works in the Histology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville Campus. The service provides comprehensive laboratory services, including histological procedures and special staining to process surgical, autopsy, and research tissue into slides for microscopic diagnosis and use in patient treatment and care.

The Lead directs daily unit operations and is responsible for integrating and monitoring adherence to methods and protocols to maintain workflow and quality. The role includes technical oversight, work assignment and scheduling, equipment upkeep, quality review, staff instruction and training, and coordination with supervisors and pathologists. The technician also supports surgical pathology and, when needed, gross autopsy dissection as a diener when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable.

This is a full-time, non-virtual position scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is based at the Nashville Campus of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to Histopathology Technician-Advanced GS-07, including higher-level technical oversight and independent performance of difficult assigned tasks.
• Ability to use independent judgment and comprehensive technical histopathology knowledge to solve complex problems involving a broad range of tests, procedures, and protocols.
• Ability to perform procedural technical review and provide written and practical training and instructions to laboratory personnel in all areas of histology.
• Ability to manage staffing requirements, plan and organize workload and priorities, coordinate work accurately and timely, follow up on pending issues, and understand the impact of incomplete work.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements governing laboratory operations and consistent work practices, documentation, and reporting.
• Skill in communicating to provide technical guidance, obtain desired effects, and ensure compliance with established policies and regulations.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal to be tested results in denial of VA employment.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Physical ability to perform manual work requiring dexterity, normal color vision, extended standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies, and lifting items weighing up to 40 pounds to waist-level benches.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, direct, and approve work schedules and assign tasks to ensure timely completion of duties.
• Ensure resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain instruments and equipment used in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry, and special stains.
• Provide guidance and instruction to Histopathology Technicians on technical tasks and job techniques.
• Monitor work in progress, perform spot checks for protocol adherence, and review completed work for compliance with work sequences, procedures, methods, and guidelines.
• Provide on-the-job training for new employees and cross-training for staff; provide supervisor input on employee performance and training needs.
• Adjust assignments for absences or changing priorities; resolve simple informal complaints from employees and patients, refer more difficult problems to the supervisor, and recommend approval or disapproval of leave requests.
• Cut and stain intraoperative frozen sections for consultation with pathologists as needed, handling sensitive situations and producing results under pressure professionally.
• Teach histological procedures and principles to resident physicians, doctoral students, other students, and laboratory employees as directed by the Supervisor.
• Assist anatomic pathologists by accessioning, examining, dissecting, and processing tissue samples in Surgical Pathology.
• Participate in gross autopsy dissection as a diener on an as-needed basis when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for prior-service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed