SUMMARY

The Charles George VA Medical Center, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service is looking to hire an enthusiastic Histopathology Technician to join a team of Professionals, to provide technician support and carry out the day-to-day operations within the laboratory. The Medical center is located in the beautiful mountains of Asheville North Carolina.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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/EXPERIENCE:

Experience- One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) or health technician.
OR
Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to the occupation such as biological science or chemistry;
OR
Successful completion of two academic years of study above high school that included at least 24 semester hours in Chemistry and/or in appropriate fields of biological science and successful completion of a 12-month program of education and training in histopathology or cytotechnology.
OR
Experience/Education Combination-Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below:
Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as biological science, surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or an associate’s degree in a health care related field.
OR
Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNICIAN, GS-6

In addition to the Basic requirements of Education/Experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures, principles of performance improvement, reagent management, inventory supply
3. Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation.
4. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
5. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results.
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).
Preferred Experience: One year experience in the healthcare or histopathology field that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) or health technician.
Quality Ranking Factor: Must have relevant experience where Histology is a major component in the job.
References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Appendix G55-GS-646.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

EDUCATION

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR APPLICATION, RESUME, C.V., AND/OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE VERIFIED. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

DUTIES

Duties include:

• Must be able to utilize both semi-automated and fully-automated instrumentations.
• Rapidly performs error-free microtomy of frozen sections with use of a cryostat.
• Fixation and processing of surgical bone marrow and cytologic specimens, including but not limited to dehydration, clearing, infiltration, sectioning, and staining of histological materials and the preparation and staining of cytological specimens.
• Decalcification of tissues to provide optimal quality section, embedding tissue to give proper orientation for diagnostic interpretation.
• Preparing Smears, cell blocks, and monolayers by ThinPrep according to standard techniques and applying appropriate stains.
• Preparing tissue for transport using appropriate preservative and determines the correct handling for each specimen.
• Performs specimen transport/retrieval from other areas of the Medical Center as needed and will accession histological and cytological specimens.
• Packages specimens, slides, and reports for transport to other facilities and ensures accurate documentation of same.
• Operates all equipment (including required maintenance and QC functions) in the section and can adapt equipment for specialized procedures.
• Conserving maintenance equipment records, documentation of equipment checks, temperature monitoring, and determine accuracy of staining procedures via control standards.
• Maintains compliance with CAP, Joint Commission, and VA accreditation standards, policies, and procedures for anatomic pathology.
• Determines that specimens are correctly labeled and have appropriate request information and will find solutions to problems of incorrect or inadequate labeling, wrong preservative used, inadequate specimens, etc.
• Routinely assists Pathologist with grossing of tissues, provides items necessary to conduct gross in an efficient and organized manner.
• Maintains an accurate filing system or organization of histological materials so the blocks, slides, and tissues are retrievable with minimum effort.
• Must demonstrate high quality Customer Service using skill, tact, and professional courtesy when dealing with these contacts.

Work Schedule: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12790185.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package