[Histonet] Dallas Job (2 Positions)

[Jones, Samuel]

 <<...OLE_Obj...>> Department of 
		Veterans Affairs	
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT	
STATION

549
	ADDRESS (City, State and ZIP Code)
VA North Texas Health Care System
4500 South Lancaster Road
Dallas, Texas   75216	AREA OF PROMOTION CONSIDERATION
NATIONWIDE
	
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER

04-B14-221
	POSITION TITLE

HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNICIAN
	SERIES AND GRADE

Pay Plan/Series:  GS-646
Grade:  8	NO. OF POSITIONS

1	PROMOTION POTENTIAL TO
N/A	
OPENING DATE

8/9/04
	LOCATION
VANTHCS
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Dallas, TX	SALARY RANGE
$37,600- $48,881
	
CLOSING DATE

8/27/04
	FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Donna Robinson
HR Specialist
214-857-1681	HOURS OF WORK
6:00am to 2:30pm
Monday - Friday 
	
NOTE:  This announcement is a solicitation for applications from current VA
employees for competitive promotion consideration.  It does not, however,
restrict the right to consider or select applicants from any other
recruitment source such as reassignment, appointment, demotion, transfer,
reinstatement or special appointing authorities such as those for disabled
veterans, veterans recruitment appointment (VRA) eligibles, severely
handicapped individuals, etc.	
NOTE:  Current permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees may apply for
consideration under this vacancy announcement.  	
NOTE: If you are selected for this position, you may be required to undergo
a physical examination if the physical requirements are different from the
position you now occupy.	
NOTE:  Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) may be used.  For information on
the basics of PBI visit the PBI website at www.va.gov/pbi
<http://www.va.gov/pbi> .	
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  All applicants will receive consideration
regardless of race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, political
affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, and
non-disqualifying physical handicap.	
DRUG TESTING:  All 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 the VA.	
RESPONSIBILITIES: The position is in the Histology Unit of the Anatomic
Pathology Section, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service.  Incumbent's
duties consist of receiving specimens, and accessioning specimen and patient
data into histology logbook.  Processing tissues, using automatic tissue
processing equipment; orientation, positioning, and embedding of tissue
samples using paraffin or other less commonly employed embedding media;
sectioning of blocks of paraffin-embedded tissues; staining of tissue
sections with routine stains; immunohistochemical staining.  Maintaining
accuracy of tissue/patient identification throughout the special handling
procedures.  Using independent judgement and close interaction with the
supervisor, pathologists and residents to ensure that the final product is
of appropriate quality.  Incumbent properly stores and safely handles all
chemicals.  Using safely and appropriately a variety of instruments
including, but not restricted to, analytical balances, pH meters, automatic
tissue processors, microtomes, automatic stainer, cryostats, automatic
coverslipper, photographic equipment, conventional light microscopes,
fluorescence microscopes, immuno stainer, cytospins, and various
computer-assisted work stations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Must be serving in a permanent Title 5
appointment.  In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements outlined in the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Operating
Manual, applicants must meet the following experience requirements:

EXPERIENCE:  Applicants must demonstrate 1 year of specialized experience
which is directly related to the position to be filled and which has
equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities
to successfully perform the duties of the position.  To be credible,
specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower
level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  Experience which has equipped the applicant with
the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the
duties of the position, and that is in Anatomical pathology technician work
in:
A.	Cutting and staining very thin sections of human tissue specimens
for microscopic examination.
B.	Testing and examining body fluids, etc., for abnormalities in cell
structure.
To be creditable, this experience must be comparable to the next lowest
level positions in Federal service.

OR

EDUCATION: One and one-half (1 1/2) years of graduate education, which is
directly related to the work of the position meets the requirements for a
GS-8.

TIME-IN-GRADE RESTRICTIONS:  Applicants must have completed at least 52
weeks of service at the GS-6 level.


RATING FACTORS FOR HISTOPATHOLOGY TECHNICIAN, GS-646-8

For each of the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities, please
indicate your major accomplishments as they relate to the above position.
Since your rating will be based primarily on your responses, please be
specific for actual duties performed or education received.  Each item will
be evaluated separately, so please do not provide one narrative summary
covering all items.

1.	Ability to operate, calibrate, perform preventive maintenance, and
troubleshoot a wide variety of histology laboratory instruments.

2.	Knowledge of tissue processing techniques.
	 
3.	Skill in orienting and positioning minute and delicate tissue
specimens.

4.	Ability to operate and maintain a micro tome and cryostat.

5.	Ability to work independently and to complete tasks within time
constraints.

NOTE:  Questions concerning this announcement may be referred to Donna
Robinson, Human Resources Specialist, at 214-857-1681.

Applicants for the positions with direct patient care must meet language
proficiency as required by Public Law 95-201.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit VAF 5-4078, Application for Promotion
or Reassignment by 4:30 pm on 8/27/04, and VAF 5-4676a, Employee
Supplemental Qualifications Statement, and VAF 5-4667b, Supervisory
Appraisal of Employee for Promotion by 4:30 pm on 9/3/04, to Human Resources
Management Service, Room A-133.  Forms can be obtained in the Human
Resources Management Service or on VANTHCS home page under local job
announcements.

UPDATING OF OPF:  All employees are reminded of their responsibility to
insure that all pertinent experience, education, training, and outside
activities are included in their Official Personnel Folders (OPF).  If an
amendment is necessary for this particular position, use SF-172, Amendment
to Application for Federal Employment, and submit no later than the closing
date of this announcement.

DISTRIBUTION: "B




Samuel E. Jones, MS, HT (ASCP) HTL, QIHC
Supervisor Anatomic Pathology
VA North Texas Healthcare System
4500 South Lancaster Road 113
Dallas, Texas 75216
Phone: 214-857-0659
Fax: 214-302-1457
E-mail: samuel.jones2 <@t> med.va.gov