This position is located at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit under the Pathology and Laboratory Services. The Lead Histopathology Technologist facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management.
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. The incumbent must be able to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation utilized while preparing specimens for diagnosis. Performs advanced procedures and analysis of tissue samples and guides staff in the preparation of the most difficult specimens.
The lead histopathology technologist must be skilled in applying professional, complex anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. Leads in the introduction of new tests including stain protocol research, test protocol setup, validation testing, record keeping, and documentation.
They will research, develop, test, optimize and validate complex histochemical stains, photochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols, including, but not limited to, new antibodies, probes, detection protocols/kits, new lots, and concentrated antibody titrations. The incumbent will troubleshoot a variety of specialized lab tests as well as equipment by using independent judgment and resources available to resolve issues.
The lead histopathology technologist identifies suboptimal testing and takes corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on patient samples. The incumbent will monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient workflow. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to assuring coverage of all areas of responsibility; conducting ongoing reviews to ensure quality of work.
The incumbent provides guidance to staff members and work closely with supervisor to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees; and ensuring all training requirements are met in addition to organizing the work structure of his/her assigned areas.
The incumbent performs, routine histology procedures including accessioning, grossing, tissue processing, cutting and H&E staining of surgical, biopsy and autopsy specimens and also prepares cytology non gyn and gyn specimens. The incumbent conducts special stain procedures and immunochemistry analysis using automatic or manual methodologies. The incumbent must be able to assist in autopsy procedures and the maintenance of the autopsy suite.
The incumbent should be able to assist the pathologist during FNAs, EBUS procedures, MOHS procedure and frozen sections. Prepares and cuts tissue specimens for frozen sections for rapid diagnosis and interpretation of tissue sections during surgery. The incumbent assists with gross dissection of surgical and autopsy specimens and in the processing of bone marrow and cytology specimens when requested to do so.
The incumbent monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. They interact with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisor.
The incumbent is also responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies, such as The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAHO) and College of American Pathologists (CAP), OSHA. Incumbent may be assigned other duties within the incumbent's skill set and knowledge to meet the needs of the service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94237-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
A transcript, either official or unofficial, must be submitted with your application for ALL degrees. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process.
Your transcript must include the following information: Your Name Name of the college or university Full address of the college or university Degree Received Date Conferred 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/.
Megan.Giffel@va.gov · (989) 930-9729
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $90589 – $117772/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-08.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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