The incumbent serves as Quality Management Histopathology Technologist in the Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Nashville Campus and serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation to histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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, premedical, 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. Employees who fail to maintain the required certification must be removed from the histopathology technologist, GS-0601 occupation, which may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. Histopathology Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). All histopathology technologists employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series, who perform the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: Histopathology technologists who do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in a supervisory or managerial position. Histopathology technologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or receive a new appointment on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Histopathology technologists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If histopathology technologists, who are grandfathered under this provision, leave the occupation then those employees lose grandfathered protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the histopathology technologist occupation in this series. Grade Determinations: Histopathology Technologist, GS-11 (Quality Management) Education and Experience. Must meet one of the following: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled; ~OR~ Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education that included a clinical practicum; ~OR~ A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in histopathology technology or a directly related field that included a clinical practicum. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. In this assignment the histopathology technologist provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services to all levels of management throughout the organization. The histopathology technologist maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Analyzes, identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. The histopathology technologist monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. The histopathology technologist is responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies, such as The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and College of American Pathologists. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, quality management standards, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations and ensuring continuous readiness for inspections. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Ability to analyze quality assurance data and resolve complex data issues. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G65, Histopathology Technologist Qualification Standard GS-0601 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["In this assignment the histopathology technologist also provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services as they related to Anatomic Pathology to all levels of management throughout the organization. Application of these concepts must be evident via demonstration, presentation, and/or publication. The Quality Management Histopathology Technologist expertly performs the following functions (not an all-inclusive list): Provides authoritative advice and consultation on quality management laboratory services to all levels of management throughout the organization. Histopathology technologist maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Analyzes, identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. The histopathology technologist monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies. Leads histopathology technicians and/or histopathology technologists or others in the performance of histopathology work, providing guidance to staff members, to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of assigned areas. Independently performs a full range of specialized tests, applying histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis. Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens. Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing, record keeping, and documentation. Researches, develops, tests, optimizes and validates complex histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols, including, but not limited to, new antibodies, probes, detection protocols/kits, new lots and concentrated antibody titrations. Troubleshoots a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues. Identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples. Monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and maintains efficient workflow. Assures coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducts ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work. Functions as an assistant to anatomic pathologists by accessioning, examining, dissecting, and processing of tissue samples in Surgical Pathology, by participating in gross autopsy dissection as diener on an as needed basis (when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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