The position serves as a Pathology Specialist and is an assistant to the Physician-Pathologist in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service within the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/17/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement: This series has the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: 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 at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: Must include copy of transcripts Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Professional knowledge of gross and microscopic human anatomy, pathophysiology, and embryology to distinguish normal versus disease states, including variations in size, configuration, and structural details of all human organs and organ systems, including visceral organs, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and respiratory system at all stages of development; Knowledge and skill sufficient to use and maintain complex instruments (e.g. microtome, cryostat, cameras, and automatic tissue processor). Knowledge of various teaching materials and training techniques, and the ability to apply these tools to individual training situations, to effectively instruct pathology resident physicians, other trainees, and new staff physicians of varying levels of competence (new resident physicians through senior residents and new staff physicians) in sophisticated methodologies and techniques; Comprehensive professional knowledge of anatomic pathology and its theoretical bases to teach detailed interpretation to pathology residents and other trainees, including pathogenesis of disease processes, understanding of etiologic agents, host response to injury by both common and unusual diseases, interpretation of iatrogenic disease, and effects of various therapeutic regimens on tissue systems, discernible by both gross and microscopic criteria. Extensive knowledge of current literature, scientific methodologies, and state-of-the-art practices in anatomic pathology to include histology. Incumbent is familiar with permanent and frozen section techniques and standard biochemical stains. Incumbent is knowledgeable about Immunology and Cell Biology sufficient to comprehend complex theories and reactions related to Immunohistochemistry. Understand nature of antibody reactions with highly specialized tissue antigens; Extensive knowledge of methods for handling surgical tissues, the kinds of information needed by the surgical staff (margins, depth of tumor invasion, etc.), and how this information can best be provided by careful examination, morphometric interpretation, description, and selection of appropriate tissue samples, with ability to determine which portions are important, the number of samples to be taken, the appropriate plane of sectioning, etc.; Knowledge of Federal regulations and administrative policies and procedures to direct, guide, counsel and evaluate personnel, prepare administrative reports, formulate budget requirements, order equipment and supplies, and plan and provide for effective operation of the various activities of the Anatomic Pathology Service. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Diagnostic Medical Testing Education and Training Planning and Evaluating Specimen Collection Technical Competence 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing while performing gross examinations and teaching others to do so, recurrent bending when performing frozen sections and autopsies, sitting, intense concentration in noisy and congested areas, and walking moderate distances between alternate work sites. It occasionally involves moving human bodies and lifting objects up to 40 pounds. Performance of duty requires above average manual dexterity in dissecting specimens and cutting frozen sections, good hand-eye coordination, and normal color vision. The work involves regular and recurrent exposure to irritating and/or toxic chemicals, volatile organic solutions, disagreeable odors, and potentially infectious material. Protective gear and special safety precautions are required and include protective agents such as a laboratory coat, gloves, mask, respirator, and eye protective devices, as necessary. Incumbent occasionally may be required to work irregular hours or shifts. Incumbent may be required to work in contaminated and infectious areas, wards, and laboratories and will be required to receive immunizations and/or occupational health examinations as determined by medical authorities to reduce health hazards. 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/. ["Major duties include but are not limited to: Ensure precise collection and preservation of tissue specimens for diagnostic purposes, implementing rigorous protocols to maintain sample integrity and compliance with regulatory standards. Train and supervise junior staff in specimen collection techniques, emphasizing the importance of precision and adherence to regulatory guidelines. Maintains continuity of functions and provides full medical and administrative support functions within the clinic to both clinical laboratory and administrative VA staff using computer software applications, databases and automated systems to accomplish the requested tasks. Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented laboratory protocols through performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement. Develop and monitor detailed project plans for laboratory workflow enhancements, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and regulatory standards. Coordinate and oversee strategic initiatives in laboratory management, ensuring seamless integration of new procedures and compliance. Prepare, stain, and analyze frozen sections with precision to support immediate and accurate intra-operative diagnostic decisions, contributing to real-time surgical interventions. Perform comprehensive diagnostic tests, including advanced histopathological and immunohistochemical assays, ensuring accurate and timely results for patient care decisions. Conduct detailed gross examinations of complex surgical pathology specimens, meticulously documenting observations, ensuring accuracy in sectioning and collaborating with pathologists for optimal diagnostic outcomes. Perform proactive maintenance and calibration of advanced histological equipment, such as cryostats and microtomes, ensuring operational efficiency and minimizing diagnostic delays. Champion quality assurance initiatives, analyzing laboratory workflows, identifying improvement opportunities and implementing changes to optimize patient out-comes. Utilize advanced histopathological and imaging techniques to accurately process and analyze surgical specimens, ensuring adherence to strict diagnostic standards. Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs by implementing assessment tools and feedback mechanisms to continuously improve learning outcome for pathology trainees and staff. Design and deliver customized training programs for medical trainees, emphasizing advanced techniques in surgical specimen processing and diagnostic methodologies. Develop innovative educational materials and interactive workshops to train pathology residents and laboratory staff on emerging diagnostic techniques and technologies. All other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Pathology Specialist/PD145490 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized"]

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