HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNICIAN
Location: Seattle Washington
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is looking of HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNICIAN right now, this job will be placed in Washington. For detail informations about this job opportunity please give attention to these descriptions. VacancyID: 697670
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service.
If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans .
The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.
The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define Â"who we are,Â" our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect and E xcellence (Â" I CARE Â").
America's Veterans need you!
To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/ .
KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation.
DUTIES:
The Histopathology Technician will be working at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA. The employee will be working in the Anatomic Pathology Section of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the VA Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, as shown in the table of organization, with responsibility for performing a full range of clinical laboratory procedures and tests.
Major duties and responsibilities include:
Assists pathologists and pathology residents in preparation of tissue removed at surgery and autopsy. Prepares frozen sections of surgical material for immediate diagnosis, including sectioning and staining, and teaches residents in frozen section methods. Provides instruction to residents, nurses, and other hospital personnel on the correct procedures for submission of specimens. Directs specimens to the proper laboratory unit for appropriate testing. Accessions specimens and is responsible for maintaining specimen integrity and identification from initial accessioning through the entire specimen processing procedure.
WORK SCHEDULE: M - F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
***RELOCATION EXPENSES AND/OR INCENTIVES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED***
DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT:
English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 4105C, No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.
minimum REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-7: You must have specialized experience and/or education directly related to this position, which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the assigned duties. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and/or education is subject to verification by investigation. You must show this experience in your resume/application, you may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
You must possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include but are not limited to: processes specimens from receipt to preparation of final slides, including accessioning, embedding, sectioning using a rotary microtome, staining and cover-slipping; performs histochemical stains for identification of pathogens and tissue elements; prepares specimens for electron microscopy evaluation, and performs initial microscopic evaluation; instructs and advises pathology residents, surgical residents, and medical students in the operation and function of the histology lab including the proper selection, sectioning and fixing gross sections for routine paraffin histology, special stains and immunohistochemistry; handles specimens for special studies in other labs; performs independent quality control for all histotechnical products and trouble-shooting problematic results; provides instruction to residents, nurses, and other hospital personnel on the correct procedures for submission of specimens; provides information and instruction on blood-borne pathogen policy and ensures compliance; performs trouble shooting and preventive maintenance of all Histology/Cytology equipment (e. g. tissue processor, automatic stainers, cryostat, inicrotomes, embedding center, coverslipper, electron microscope), etc.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION
Have you successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education with courses directly related to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR
combinations of experience and education
You must possess a combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements to the next lower grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
minimum REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-8: You must have specialized experience and/or education directly related to this position, which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the assigned duties. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and/or education is subject to verification by investigation. You must show this experience in your resume/application, you may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
You must possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include but are not limited to: serve as an expert providing technical advice for markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge; conduct studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area; processes specimens from receipt to preparation of final slides, including accessioning, embedding, sectioning using a rotary microtome, staining and cover- slipping; performs histochemical stains for identification of pathogens and tissue elements; prepares specimens for electron microscopy evaluation, and performs initial microscopic evaluation; instructs and advises pathology residents, surgical residents, and medical students in the operation and function of the histology lab including the proper selection, sectioning and fixing gross sections for routine paraffin histology, special stains and immunohistochemistry; handles specimens for special studies in other labs; performs independent quality control for all histotechnical products and trouble-shooting problematic results; provides instruction to residents, nurses, and other hospital personnel on the correct procedures for submission of specimens; provides information and instruction on blood-borne pathogen policy and ensures compliance; performs trouble shooting and preventive maintenance of all Histology/Cytology equipment (e. g . tissue processor, automatic stainers, cryostat, inicrotomes, embedding center, coverslipper, electron microscope), etc.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION
Have you successfully completed one and a half (1 1/2) year of graduate education with courses directly related to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR
combinations of experience and education
You must possess a combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements to the next lower grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
You will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAO's) as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: (DON'T RESPOND TO THE KSAO's, ONLY THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON LINE)
1. ABILITY TO PERFORM HISTOTECHNOLOGY, CYTOTECHNOLOGY, AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY FUNCTIONS.
2. KNOWLEDGE OF HISTOTECHNOLOGY, CYTOTECHNOLOGY, AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY PRINCIPLES.
3. ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY BOTH ORALLY AND IN WRITING WITH PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WITH VARYING EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
4. KNOWLEDGE OF QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES, OPERATION, TROUBLE-SHOOTING, AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTOLOGY, CYTOLOGY, AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY EQUIPMENT.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work demands periods of standing, walking, bending, reading, writing and physical dexterity. The incumbent occasionally lifts heavy containers of reagents or supplies.
The work involves both chemical and biological hazards. The incumbent is required to use appropriate safety equipment and clothing when dealing with frank or potentially carcinogenic or infectious substances, and to contain the substances within a specific work area. The Incumbent is expected to closely follow the blood-borne pathogen guidelines and to carefully follow disinfectant procedures in all biohazard work areas. The incumbent is expected to safely handle sharp blades, needles, dissection instruments, and microtome knives. The incumbent is exposed to human organs and limbs in a dissected and undissected state as well as human cadavers in the autopsy suite. There are constant changes of instrumentation, methodology, procedures, tests and examinations requiring re-evaluation of hazards.
In the performance of official duties, the employees have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws and regulations. The employee is responsible for (1) protecting that information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. The supervisor is responsible for section employee adherence to these policies regarding all sensitive electronic files.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications .
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Please refer to this checklist to ensure proper accreditation and for foreign education requirements.
Veteran's Preference:
When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability. If the military member is within 120 days of separation and does not yet have a DD214, the member may instead submit any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, non service-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed " SF15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference ," (go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf ) and required documentation with your application materials. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx .
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applicants will be ranked based on four quality groups, as follows:
Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
After the vacancy announcement closes, reviewed applications are evaluated against the questionnaire responses and placed in the appropriate quality group. Qualified veterans will be afforded preference by being placed at the top of the appropriate quality group. Qualifying veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the best qualified group. The best qualified group is the first to be referred to the hiring facility for further consideration and possible interview. The remaining groups may be referred based on the number of applicants available.
BENEFITS:
VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered: http://www.va.gov/jobs/job_benefits/benefits.asp .
The Federal Government has special appointing authorities for persons with qualifying disabilities (go to http://www.opm.gov/disability/peoplewithdisabilities.asp ). For additional information on these, and other special appointing authorities, refer to this checklist or contact the hiring Human Resources Management Service at: 1660 S Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108
OTHER INFORMATION:
VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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If you were eligible to this job, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you interested on this job just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This job starts available on: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:34:43 GMT