Staff Pathology

The Staff Pathologist provides diagnostic services within the Department of Pathology to include potential for subspecialty coverage as training permits (examples include dermatopathology or hematopathology.)

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The AC/CP pathologist is ultimately responsible for diagnostic interpretation of specimens processed within the laboratory.
• The AP/CP pathologist will provide residents and/or trainees information on specimen processing and evaluation.
• Review of gross specimens
• Processing and interpretation of intraoperative frozen sections.
• Provide intraoperative and intraprocedural consultation as requested.
• Interpretation/sign-out of surgical pathology specimens within CAP guidelines for turnaround time.
• Participation in multi-disciplinary conferences such as Tumor Board, Chest Conference and GI Conference.
• Review appropriate clinical history/medical record when responsible for autopsy coverage and discuss with clinical team ensuring appropriate consent documentation before proceeding with autopsy.
• Perform autopsies.
• Issue preliminary autopsy findings.
• Issue completed autopsy report with clinicopathologic correlation within 30 days of autopsy.
• Review hematology fluids and issue diagnostic interpretation.
• Responsible for diagnostic expertise and sign-out in any area for which sub-specialty fellowship training has been completed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 Federal holidays with pay annually
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

About the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

Since 1933, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. We consider it our privilege to serve your health care needs in any way we can. Our services are available to Veterans living in a ten county catchment area in west central Florida.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

In addition to our main facility at Bay Pines, we offer services in one outpatient clinic and 7 community-based outpatient clinics. These clinics are located in —

• Bradenton, Florida
• Cape Coral, Florida
• Naples, Florida
• Palm Harbor, Florida
• Port Charlotte, Florida
• St. Petersburg, Florida
• Sarasota, Florida
• Sebring, Florida