Histopathology Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. The Histopathology Technologist performs routine to highly complex histological testing, including routine histology, special stains, frozen sections, immunohistochemistry, and direct immunofluorescence. The vacancy is at GS-07 to GS-09, with GS-09 as the full performance level.

The technologist handles and prepares human tissue specimens for surgical pathology and autopsy, performs routine and specialized staining and sectioning, and assesses slides microscopically. The role includes preparing chemical solutions and stains, performing complex immunohistochemical procedures, maintaining instruments and quality assurance records, and investigating or correcting procedural and equipment problems. The technologist evaluates quality control and patient data, alerts appropriate personnel to critical or significantly abnormal results, and prioritizes simultaneous work to meet workload demands.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the schedule may change based on facility needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting and may involve stressful situations and multiple tasks. Physical activities may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for qualifying non-citizens when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Current Histotechnologist (HTL) certification from the ASCP Board of Certification; an unexpired copy must be provided for credit. A limited entry-level temporary appointment exception may apply to qualifying board-eligible candidates, subject to the stated conditions.
• A qualifying bachelor's degree in a related health or allied science field; alternatively, a bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, including coursework in both; or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a related master's or equivalent degree.
• For GS-09: one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07, directly related to the position, with job tasks and hours worked per week documented in the resume.
• For GS-09: knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.
• For GS-09: knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens and perform routine specialized tests.
• For GS-09: ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample.
• For GS-09: ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous individual and team work assignments.
• For GS-09: skill in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories when performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including required background/security investigation, physical examination, drug screening for testing-designated positions, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to the stated evaluation and written certification conditions.
• Applicants using foreign education must provide the required foreign-equivalency documentation; qualifying education must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Responsibilities

• Perform all elements of sectioning for surgical pathology and autopsy specimens.
• Receive, check, accept, time, log, store, and, when necessary, ship human tissue specimens.
• Select tissue-processing protocols and load cassettes appropriately based on tissue type.
• Orient tissue during embedding and recognize tissue origin and type to properly orient and cut small or complex specimens.
• Select appropriate microtome knives and section thickness, and sharpen microtome knives.
• Use routine automated staining equipment and perform manual Hematoxylin and Eosin staining when needed.
• Microscopically examine Hematoxylin and Eosin slides to assess staining quality.
• Prepare frozen tissue sections for special immunological studies, including selecting, freezing, cutting, and staining tissue for pathologist examination.
• Operate, decontaminate, clean, and maintain the cryostat and follow frozen-section quality control procedures.
• Maintain quality assurance files for blocks and slides used in special and immunohistochemical stains.
• Perform special stains, examine slides microscopically, evaluate controls, and accept or reject results based on staining quality.
• Troubleshoot special staining procedures and implement corrective changes.
• Prepare stains and chemical solutions, including adjusting and standardizing pH and concentration of reagents, buffers, and stains.
• Perform complex immunohistochemical stains and procedures, including pretreatment, antigen retrieval, enzymatic digestion, antibody dilution, and titration.
• Troubleshoot immunohistochemical procedures, maintain records and quality assurance data, and procure and maintain appropriate control blocks.
• Prepare, maintain, and operate instruments according to instructions; log preventive maintenance, temperature checks, and instrument problems.
• Recognize instrument or equipment malfunctions and trends and initiate corrective action when necessary.
• Perform and evaluate quality control checks on reagents, procedures, and equipment.
• Evaluate the validity of patient data in relation to test procedures and expected results; investigate suspected erroneous data and alert the supervisor to procedural or instrument faults.
• Alert appropriate personnel, including supervisors, physicians, or pathologists, to critical or significantly abnormal results.
• Investigate and resolve problems related to surgical pathology.
• Prioritize work and perform simultaneous tasks to meet goals during short staffing or heavy workloads.
• Follow safety guidelines, handle specimens carefully, and use required personal protective equipment.
• Remain familiar with accreditation agency requirements and regulations, including CAP.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family, with specific eligibility depending on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level