The Pathology Specialist - Pathology Assistant serves in the Anatomic Pathology (AP) section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services (PALMS) at the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, and at the Dermatology clinic locations within the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidate. Basic Education Requirement (Transcript Required): Successful completion of a Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. AND Specialized Experience: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: performing autopsies under the supervision of the Pathologist; performing all elements of gross examination and sectioning of surgical pathology specimens and specialized tests including histochemical and immunohistochemical stains and cytometry and interpreting results; preparing description of microscopic slides, correlation of the gross and microscopic pathology with patients' clinical presentation preparation of anatomic diagnoses and final reports, and photography of gross specimens; and participating in orientation/training of new employees in Anatomic Pathology Grossing and Autopsy. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Analytical Thinking Attention to Detail Compliance Diagnostic Medical Testing IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing while performing gross examinations and teaching others to do so, recurring bending over when performing frozen sections and autopsies, occasional lifting of heavy items (bodies), and above average dexterity in dissecting specimens and cutting frozen sections. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Surgical Pathology (SP): Manages the daily Surgical Pathology (SP) functions. Performs all elements of gross examination and sectioning of all types of SP specimens and specialized tests including histochemical and immunohistochemical stains and cytometry and interprets results, evaluates and implements new equipment, photography of gross specimens and maintenance of collections of gross photographs, tissue blocks and slides, investigation and resolution of problems. Performs renal biopsy adequacy evaluation during Radiology procedures. Performs color mapping, embedding with precise orientation, cryostat sectioning, and staining of Mohs specimens under the direction of the Mohs surgeon. Surgical Pathology Program Management/Teaching: Reviews regulatory criteria, ensures all procedures and protocols are maintained up to date, prepares work areas for inspection, and participates in the inspection processes. Plays a central role in the education, teaching, and training of residents, other medical specialties, students, technicians/technologists, nurses, etc. in the practice of Surgical Pathology Grossing and Autopsy. Develops or participates in the development of Anatomic Pathology Grossing related protocols. Autopsies: Performs as a Pathology Assistant with the autopsies, includes inspection of the permission form, review of medical record, preparation of external internal descripts, sectioning, ordering of special studies (e.g., cultures, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, electron microscopy), description of microscopic slides, correlation of gross and microscopic pathology with patients' clinical representation, preparation of Anatomic Diagnoses reports and photography of gross specimens. Integration of new initiatives and technological advancements: Participates in development and implementation of methods in all areas of anatomic pathology, Grossing and Autopsy, and contributes ideas for improvements in laboratory functions. Coordinates integration of new methodologies in the Grossing and Autopsy laboratory. Performs other duties, as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidate. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.