Histopathology Technician (Advanced)

Histopathology Technician

The duties and responsibilities of the Histopathology Technician includes but are not limited to the following:

The Histopathology Technician at the GS-7 level have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. The technician will have the responsibility of performing difficult Histological, Histochemical and Immunohistochemical procedures, as well as developing, modifying, or adapting new staining methods or techniques, improving existing methods as necessary for routine Histotechnology procedures. The technician will be responsible for troubleshooting issues with instruments and resolving problems. This position requires practical knowledge of the anatomic pathology laboratory practice in one or both areas (i.e. Histopathology and Cytology).

The duties and responsibilities of the Histopathology Technician includes but are not limited to the following:

• Identifies and cuts minute pieces of tissue on both Microtome and Microtome Cryostat for rapid frozen sections such as for MOHS
• Performs specialized, complex double and triple histochemical testing, staining and arduous special staining of tissue samples.
• Decalcifies tissue by determining the proper solution.
• Embeds tissue to give proper orientation for diagnostic interpretation.
• Performs all routine histopathology work; accessioning, processing tissue, embedding, cutting and staining for microscopic examination of tissue.
• Determines accuracy of staining such as routine and MOHS H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), and specials such as Mason's Trichrome, and immunohistochemistry through analysis of control slides
• Advises Pathologists and Residents, when asked, in the treatment or staining of certain tissue.
• Stains frozen sections with H&E immunofluorescent reagents and other immunohistochemical reagents.
• Investigates, evaluates, and assists with establishing quality control materials for measuring the validity and accuracy of the stain.
• Routinely performs difficult and complex testing using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to detect various antigens on the surface of cells, in the cytoplasm of cells, and in the nucleus, by immunologic techniques.
• Develops and implements all new staining procedures, including special immunohistochemical and immunoperoxidase procedures using enzymatic methodologies.
• Performs complex operations, calibrations, troubleshooting and maintenance on all equipment in the section.
• Assists the prosector/pathologist in the performance of the autopsy.
• Determines what type of tissue is being cut to obtain the proper thickness required for different tissue and stains.
• Determines when a complete section has been obtained, with all margins and structures in the block visible.
• Evaluates specimen type, such as kidney, brain, lung, etc., for testing method appropriateness.

Work Schedule: 08:00AM-0430PM, M-F

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs