<p>The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Histopathology Technician for the Pathology and Laboratory department.</p> <p>The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.</p> <p>A Histopathology Technician at the full performance level uses independent judgement to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results. The histopathology technician carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision. This includes routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures, quality control and assurance procedures, operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation, troubleshooting, and principles of performance improvement. The technician utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies. The technician prepares technically adequate slides of surgical and cytology specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining (including immunohistochemistry) and cover-slipping.</p> <p>The duties and responsibilities of a Histopathology Technician include but are not limited to the following:</p> <ul> <li>Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and proper sample submission. Properly identifies all specimens. Verifies discrepancies with the provider. Is proficient in recognizing a wide variety of tissues and can identify unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous results or require special handling. Makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Accessions all specimens into the hospital computer system and labels specimens according to laboratory labeling requirements. </li><li>Is responsible for embedding tissue of all sizes in the proper medium and in the proper manner for correct sectioning. Is able to operate the microtome to achieve tissue sections of the thickness requested by the pathologist. Performs routine and special stains as requested by the pathologist. Correctly coverslips preparations so that there are no artifacts produced. Can ascertain the need for and perform fixation techniques that are non-routine such as EM preparations and bone decalcification. Recognizes improperly processed or improperly fixed tissue and is able to take corrective action. </li><li>Performs frozen section preparations. Frozen section preparation includes selection of pathogenic portions of the specimen; marking it for correct orientation and identification of the tumor margins, freezing the unfixed specimen; sectioning it with a cryostat microtome and staining and cover-slipping the slide. </li><li>Performs staining of tissue sections, including histochemical and other advanced staining techniques. These procedures are specialized and often complex, difficult and non-standardized. Many procedural steps are not covered by specific instructions. The choices of alternative ways of proceeding are determined through the Histopathology Technician's professional training and experience. Procedures must be adapted to individual variance in specimen and stain performance. </li><li>Assists the pathologist or pathology resident with surgical gross description and processing. Selection of the proper fixation technique is also critical, such as decalcification of bony specimens. </li><li>Assists the pathologist, pathology resident, radiologist or endocrinologist during specimen collection of fine needle aspirations and bone marrow. S/he prepares specialized touch preparations and aspirate smears in accordance with protocol. </li><li>Prepares fresh specimens, orders, and other necessary materials for outside testing for any collected specimen where testing is contracted to be performed at another facility. </li><li>Performs established quality control and quality assurance procedures to check the accuracy and validity of work. Records information daily. Deviations are documented and reported to the pathologist and laboratory leadership. Corrective action is performed and appropriately documented. Identifies unusual discrepancies/conditions that may cause erroneous results. </li></ul> <p>Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.</p> <p>Telework: Not available</p> <p>Virtual: This is not a virtual position.</p> <p>Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized</p> <p>Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized</p>