Pathology Technician
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Description: Department Of Veterans Affairs is presently looking of Pathology Technician right now, this career will be placed in Nebraska. More details about this career opportunity please read the description below. Vacancy ID: 953120
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President LincolnÂ's promise - Â"To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphanÂ" - by serving a! nd honoring the men and women who are AmericaÂ's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
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. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. 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 i! s 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:
This position is in the Histopathology and Cytopathology Sections
of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Nebraska-Western
Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) located in Omaha, Nebraska.
Major duties and responsibilities in! clude:
Prepare patient tissues from surgery, biopsy, autopsy and experimental animal tissues for histological (microscopic) examination and process cytology specimens
Perform routine and special stains and cytology specimen processing
Prepare section of human tissue for examination
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to fix tissue specimens to be preserved for study by pathologists
Prepare slides of specimens using specified stains to enhance visibility under the microscope and microscopically examine slides to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements
Prepare frozen section slides
Maintain the equipment in the Histology section and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and problems
Using the cryostat, section tissues and stain slides for frozen section diagnosis
Maintain the equipment and supplies necessary for frozen section diagnosis
Clean and lubricate the cryostats to keep them in good working order and chan! ge frozen section solutions
Perform a variety of delicate and compl! ex tissue stains
Exhibit a high degree of independent thinking to include formulation, alteration, and standardization of the pH and concentration of many chemical solutions
Exercise quality control over test results
Recognize tissues from various parts of the body
Assist residents, fellows, and physicians during the bone marrow collection procedure
Ensure that bone marrow aspirate slides are correctly made and air-dried, biopsy specimens are placed in appropriate fixative, and specimens for flow cytometry and cytogenetics are mixed to prevent clotting
Ensure that all specimen containers are correctly labeled and requisitions are completed with the required information
Assist pathologists in postmortem examinations and insure proper body condition for delivery to the appropriate funeral directors
Maintain the overall cleanliness of the morgue area
upon completion of the autopsy
DESIGNATED
DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applica! nts
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.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM with rotating weekends
***RELOCATION EXPENSES AND/OR INCENTIVES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED*** QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
You must
meet one of the following to qualify for the GS 6:
GS- 6 : One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in
federal service that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to
perform successfully the duties of the Pathology Technician. Specialized
experience is
Anatomical pathology technician work in (a) cutting and staining very thin
sections of human t! issue specimens for microscopic examination; and/or in (b)
testing ! and examining body fluids, etc. for abnormalities in cell structure,
depending upon the requirements of the position. The requirements are: knowledge
of basic sciences, knowledge of procedures for histopathologic processing of
tissue, and knowledge of related equipment, instruments, policies, and
regulations. ~OR~
GS- 6 : One-half (1/2) of a year of graduate education from an accredited college or
university directly related to the work of the Pathology Technician. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED— If you do
not supply a copy of your transcript, your application package may not be
processed. ) Note: If you cannot obtain the number of credit hours that the school
attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study, consider 18
semester hours an academic year of graduate study. ~OR~
GS- 6 : Equivalent combinations of experience and education
as described above to meet the total requirements for thi! s position.
(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED— If you do not supply a copy of your transcript,
your application package may not be processed. )
~AND~
Quality Ranking Factors * have been requested by the facility to help determine which of
the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a
position. The quality ranking factors for this position are: " How recent your experience is in the Histology Laboratory."
~AND~ "The number of postmortem exams/autopsies in which you have assisted."
- Quality Ranking Factors are
expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will
not be used for screening , but may be used as ranking criteria.
Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower
proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor.
You will be! rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characte! ristics (KSAOs) as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position (Narrative responses not required) :
Knowledge of procedures required for the histopathologic processing of tissue
Knowledge of basic sciences and medical terminology
Ability to assume duties in the morgue as an autopsy technician
Knowledge of policies and regulations and their application within the healthcare system
Skill in the use of computers, computer systems, and other electronic equipment
Knowledge and skill sufficient for the operation of and the maintenance of complicated instruments and equipment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time performing autopsy eviscerations, not to exceed six (6) hours. Must be able to lift fifty (50) pounds. The work requires specific physical characteristics and abilities, and the dexterity needed to perform intricate technical proced! ures. Flow of work frequently produces a high level of mental/visual stress and fatigue such as during the processing of surgical specimens and assuring correct labeling. The work requires dexterity, concentration, and attention to detail.
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 WILL 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 pre! ference 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 disabi! lity, 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 ar! e proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
Well qual! ified - 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 excepted appointing authorities for persons with qualifying disabilities, such as Schedule A. Specific information can be found at http://www.opm.gov/disability/peoplewithdisabilities.asp . IMPORTANT: If you would like to receive consideration as a Schedule A applicant, you must contact the Human Resources office at the facility where this position is located at (402)346-8800.
OTHER INFORMATION:
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.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transitio! n Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive! service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .
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 f! ill additional vacancies.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- .
If you were eligible to this career, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department Of Veterans Affairs.
If you interested on this career just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This career starts available on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 07:02:31 GMT