Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

Veterans Health Administration • Louisville, KY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a non-supervisory Advanced Level Histopathology Technician position in the Laboratory of the Anatomic Pathology section of the Robley Rex Medical Center’s Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. The technician performs complex histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical procedures, carries out difficult assignments independently, and provides technical oversight. The work includes developing, modifying, or adapting staining methods, improving routine histotechnology procedures, troubleshooting instruments, and resolving problems.

The position involves processing surgical tissues, body fluids, and non-gynecologic specimens from accessioning through completion, maintaining specimen identification and integrity, and supporting anatomic pathologists by grossing biopsy specimens. The technician performs routine and specialized tissue preparation and staining, including frozen sections for rapid surgical diagnosis, and handles cytology specimen preparation and processing. The role also includes quality assurance, quality control, safety documentation, inventory and document control, and effective service to healthcare providers, patients, and other customers.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The position is at the GS-07 level. Physical demands include intermittent moderate lifting, carrying, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing, bending, stooping and kneeling, and working amid constant noise and close to others. The technician must be able to distinguish basic colors, read ordinary type and computer screens, maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment, manage stressful situations, and wear required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

• One year of experience in a healthcare field demonstrating the ability to perform the work or an understanding of it; alternatively, qualifying education or an acceptable combination of experience and education may meet the basic requirement.
• For GS-07 placement, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Skill applying complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
• Ability to provide technical oversight of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement; manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems.
• Ability to validate methodologies, operate anatomic pathology laboratory equipment, and perform complex instrument troubleshooting.
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results and resolve problems.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy.
• Ability to meet pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and applicable vaccination requirements.
• Ability to serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements, including lifting and carrying, standing and walking, bending, stooping or kneeling, distinguishing basic colors, reading printed material and computer screens, working amid constant noise and near others, maintaining accuracy under competing priorities, emotional stability, and wearing required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of histology and cytology.
• Skills in embedding, cutting (microtoming), grossing biopsies, immunohistochemistry, and special stains.
• Histopathology Technician (HT) or Histopathology Technologist (HTL) certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning through the entire specimen-processing procedure.
• Ensure accuracy and quality and prevent misrepresentation of test results.
• Test surgical tissues, body fluids, and non-gynecologic specimens through the entire process.
• Assist the Anatomic Pathologist by grossing biopsy specimens.
• Dissect specimens and determine proper orientation and appropriate tissue selection.
• Perform complex tissue procedures, including preparation of frozen sections for rapid diagnosis during surgery.
• Perform routine histological techniques, including fixation, embedding, cutting, and H&E staining.
• Perform a variety of special stains, including PAS, AFB, Mucicarmine, Giemsa, Gram stain, iron, and silver stains such as Reticulum and Bielschowsky, using automated or manual methods.
• Control staining procedures used in microscopic differentiation to achieve precise staining results.
• Perform, interpret quality, and maintain the integrity of special procedures such as immunohistochemistry and Thin Prep for diagnostic purposes.
• Prepare and process Non-Gyn (body fluids), Gyn, and FNA specimens and stain them according to departmental procedures, turnaround times, and cytological guidelines.
• Perform and document quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance.
• Maintain the Safety Data Sheet inventory and ensure SDS sheets are provided to the Industrial Hygienist for database upload.
• Troubleshoot instruments and resolve problems.
• Develop, modify, or adapt staining methods and techniques, and improve existing routine histotechnology methods as necessary.
• Communicate effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member and provide excellent customer service to healthcare providers, patients, and others.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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