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Histopathology Technologist

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

This job in plain English

This is a full-time Histopathology Technologist job at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, part of the Veterans Health Administration. The technologist prepares tissue samples, makes special stains, and prepares frozen sections for pathologists to examine. The job may close early after 50 applications, and it requires a current ASCP histotechnologist (HTL) certification.

1 vacancy

It may close early. This job will close once the VA receives 50 applications, which may happen before the closing date.

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.

Open to U.S. citizens only. The agency clarified that the job is open to all U.S. citizens.

What you would do

  • Prepares tissue samples by cutting, embedding and orienting them correctly.
  • Performs special stains and complex immunohistochemical stains on slides.
  • Prepares frozen tissue sections for pathologists to examine.
  • Checks slide quality and troubleshoots staining problems.
  • Makes stains and chemical solutions while following safety rules for toxic materials.
  • Runs quality control checks and alerts supervisors to erroneous or critical results.

Do you qualify for GS-7 to GS-9?

With experience: For the GS-7 level, no experience beyond the basic requirements is needed. For the GS-9 level, you need one year of experience equal to GS-7 in work directly related to histopathology, and your resume must list the hours per week you worked.

With education: Education can qualify you instead of experience. Options include a four-year bachelor's or higher degree with a major in health or allied sciences such as biology, chemistry, or medical lab technology; a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours of biology and chemistry (both required); or two years of graduate study toward a master's in a related health science field.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • Current histotechnologist (HTL) certification from the ASCP Board of Certification

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Current ASCP histotechnologist (HTL) certification copy
  • Resume showing job title, duties, start and end month/year, and average hours per week
  • Transcript if you qualify through education
  • DD-214 if you claim veterans' preference
  • SF-15 if you claim 10-point veterans' preference
  • SF-50 if you are a current or former federal employee

How you will be rated: You are rated on how well you meet the qualifications, based on your online questionnaire and documents. Missing or unclear information can lower your rating or make you ineligible, and the VA may verify your experience and contact references.

Tips for this job:

  • Your resume must list the hours per week you worked in each job, with start and end month and year.
  • Send a copy of your current, unexpired ASCP HTL certificate, since it is required.
  • Apply before the closing date, because the job may close after 50 applications.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs.

Incentives and relocation: Not authorized: relocation and recruitment incentives are not offered for this job.

Conditions of employment:

  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
  • Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Background and security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical exam
  • Online onboarding; acceptable ID required, and non-REAL ID licenses are not accepted after May 7, 2025
  • Annual seasonal influenza vaccination required, or an approved exemption
  • Annual TB screening or testing
  • 1 or 2-year trial period
  • Non-certified applicants who are board eligible may get a temporary appointment of up to 2 years at entry level

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$58,193 – $92,541 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-7 to GS-9 · General Schedule
Location
Houston, Texas
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Travel
Not required
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
General Health Science (0601)
Announcement
CBST-13101695-27-KC

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