The Lead Histopathology Technician will serve in the Histology section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville Campus.
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service offers comprehensive and complex laboratory services in an affiliated medical center I healthcare system. Services include a full range of histological procedures including special staining used in processing surgical, autopsy, and research tissue into finished slides for microscopic diagnosis for physician use in treatment and care of inpatients and outpatients.
The Histopathology Technician (Lead) provides direction to the daily operations and assumes responsibility for integrating and monitoring the standard adherence to methods and protocols to maintain continuous work flow and quality within the unit. Duties include: Prepare, direct, and approve work schedules and assign tasks for timely completion of duties. Ensure resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs.
Calibrate, operate, and maintain instruments and equipment used in surgical pathology, immunohistochemistry, and special stains; provides guidance and instruction to Histopathology Technicians on a broad range of specific tasks and job techniques. Monitors work in progress often performing spot checks to ensure protocols are being followed; reviews completed work to ensure guidelines are met regarding work sequences, procedures, and methods.
Provides on-the-job training to new employees; provides cross-training to staff; provides input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees. Adjusts work assignments due to absences or changes in priorities; resolves simple informal complaints of employees and patients; refers the more difficult problems to the supervisor; recommends approval and/or disapproval of leave requests.
Cutting and staining of frozen sections obtained intraoperatively for consultation with pathologists as necessary, handling sensitive situations and produces results under pressure in a professional manner. Teaches histological procedures and principles to resident physicians, doctoral students, other students, and laboratory employees when and as directed by the Supervisor.
Functions as an assistant to anatomic pathologists by accessioning, examining, dissecting, and processing of tissue samples in Surgical Pathology, by participating in gross autopsy dissection as diener on an as needed basis (when a Pathology Specialist is unavailable). Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71386F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
shanandoah.peterson@va.gov · 803-800-1562
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $75636 – $98323/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-06.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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