Pathology Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pathology Specialist works in the Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The role independently plans and carries out assignments to accomplish service goals under the supervision of a Pathologist or designee. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

The position manages daily surgical pathology operations, performs gross examinations and dissections of surgical specimens, prepares frozen sections, coordinates ancillary testing, troubleshoots technical and operational issues, and maintains specimen and laboratory records. It also supports laboratory information systems and gross dictation technologies, develops and updates procedures and workflows, monitors quality indicators, analyzes quality data, investigates deficiencies, and supports accreditation and cancer committee requirements.

The specialist teaches pathology principles and techniques to trainees and other health professionals, develops training materials and competency records, and performs autopsies in rotation with residents and senior staff under Pathologist supervision. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates; the Critical Skills Incentive is not approved.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• A bachelor's or graduate/higher-level degree with a major in an academic field related to medicine, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the work; the degree must be from an educational program accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education when the degree was obtained.
• For the GS-11 specialized-experience route, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, such as gross examination and sectioning of surgical tissue specimens; preparing permanent and frozen sections; performing histochemical and immunohistochemical staining; operating and troubleshooting tissue processors, microtomes, and cryostats; conducting quality control and laboratory compliance activities; and applying anatomic pathology safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Alternatively, qualification at GS-11 may be based on three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the work.
• Alternatively, applicants may combine qualifying specialized experience and graduate education; only graduate education beyond the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.
• Applicants relying on education for all or part of their qualifications must submit an unofficial transcript with the application.
• Applicants must provide complete resume details for each job entry, including employment dates, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.
• Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete online onboarding and acceptable identification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A one-year probationary period is required.
• Physical requirements include recurrent prolonged standing, frequent bending, occasional lifting of heavy items, intermittent moderate lifting of 15–44 pounds, light carrying under 15 pounds, use of fingers and both hands, intermittent or prolonged stooping and kneeling, visual acuity, manual dexterity, ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens, ability to hear (hearing aids permitted), and ability to work in constant noise and closely with others. The role also requires cognitive function to work accurately in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and emotional stability in stressful situations.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized training and a graduate degree through a Pathology Assistant program recognized by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) are highly desired.
• Certification as a Pathologists' Assistant by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is a quality ranking factor and may be used to rank basically qualified applicants.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Surgical Pathology operations by prioritizing specimens, coordinating workloads, and independently resolving operational issues under a Pathologist's indirect supervision.
• Perform comprehensive gross examinations of surgical specimens, identify anatomical structures and abnormalities, assess disease extent, and document findings.
• Dissect surgical specimens and select representative tissue sections, accurately representing anatomical relationships, surgical margins, tumor characteristics, and staging requirements according to CAP protocols.
• Assess specimen adequacy, identification, labeling, documentation, and order accuracy; resolve discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions with submitting services.
• Perform grossing procedures, including measuring, weighing, inking, photography, radiography, margin assessment, and intraoperative specimen preparation.
• Conduct frozen-section procedures, including tissue preparation, microtomy, staining, coverslipping, labeling, and telepathology support; adapt established protocols to unusual specimens and urgent diagnostic requirements.
• Coordinate ancillary testing, including histochemical and immunohistochemical studies, flow cytometry, cytology preparation, and molecular and reference laboratory testing; ensure appropriate specimen selection, processing, documentation, and submission.
• Investigate complex technical and operational problems involving anatomic pathology specimens, troubleshoot equipment, implement corrective measures, and communicate testing requirements and diagnostic delays to providers.
• Maintain accurate records of gross photographs, tissue blocks, slides, and residual specimens; ensure appropriate retention and disposal, infection control, personal protective equipment use, and hazardous waste management.
• Administer laboratory information systems and gross dictation technologies by troubleshooting issues, developing workflows and templates, training personnel, and ensuring compliance with VHA directives and accreditation standards.
• Develop and revise laboratory procedures and workflows to optimize resource utilization, improve productivity, integrate new methodologies, and maintain compliance.
• Monitor quality indicators, including malignancy notifications, frozen-to-permanent section correlations, CAP cancer protocol completeness, and specimen identification errors; document findings and implement corrective actions.
• Compile and analyze laboratory quality data, monthly and annual statistics, audit findings, and performance trends; provide information to the VA Cancer Committee supporting Commission on Cancer compliance.
• Investigate recurring errors and deficiencies through audits, inspections, and root-cause analysis; implement corrective and preventive measures and recommend follow-up actions.
• Represent the laboratory on institutional committees, participate in accreditation inspections and Anatomic Pathology meetings, and review policies and procedures annually.
• Teach anatomic pathology principles, specimen handling, gross examination, dissection techniques, and laboratory safety to pathology residents, medical students, interns, allied health professionals, and other trainees.
• Provide hands-on instruction at grossing benches and frozen-section areas, develop training protocols, select educational materials, and provide technical guidance on complex procedures.
• Develop and maintain educational resources, resident orientation materials, safety training documentation, competency evaluations, and trainee performance records; coordinate consistent instructional practices with other pathology training facilities.
• Perform autopsies in rotation with residents and senior staff under Pathologist supervision; verify consent documentation, review medical records, coordinate requested viewings, and complete required autopsy documentation.
• Monitor autopsy and morgue operations for compliance with VHA directives and accreditation requirements, ensure timely reports, identify procedural deficiencies, and revise local policies to improve compliance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; benefits eligibility depends on the type of position held.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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