This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. Certification. All applicants must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR (2) Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below. Exceptions. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(D). Failure to obtain certification within 1 year from the date of appointment is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience. For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Next Lower Grade Level Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. Practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters. Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors. Preferred Experience: Performs specialized/complex imaging procedures, such as rest and stress myocardial perfusion, hepatobiliary, hemangioma, lasix renal, captopril renal, brain, cisternogram, tumor, oncological, infection studies, SPECT/CT, PET/CT and advanced therapies. Assists supervising Physician, Physicians Assistant in the cardiac stress lab while performing exercise or pharmaceutical stress exams associated with myocardial perfusion imaging. Specialized/complex procedures may require administration of interventional drugs, such regadenoson, adenosine, lasix, cholecystokenin, SSKI, glucola, and other drugs, under the supervision of a physician/physician assistant and using special techniques for administering radiopharmaceuticals. Advanced therapies may include but are not limited to Y-90, Ra223 and palliative bone pain therapies. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Duties: Verifies patient identity to comply with medical center and service policy, physician order for the procedure, and pregnancy status of females, when appropriate. Evaluates the individual needs of the adult and older adult patient and provides appropriate care/support. Recognizes and responds appropriately to emergency conditions by initiating a call for assistance, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary, and maintaining intravenous fluids, oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives. Assuring that any pre­-study preparation has been completed, such as hydration, voiding, bowel cleansing, suspension of interfering drugs, blood serum glucose assessments, intravenous line and / or bladder catheter placement before any procedures are started. Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and medications. Transfers wheelchair and litter patients onto imaging table safely using ergonomic methods/lifting devices. Receives radioactive material (RAM) packages and monitors RAM package for external exposure and removable contamination. Documents package receipt. Enters the radioactive material into inventory, stores radioactive material appropriately, defaces RAM package, and properly disposes of packaging material. Maintains record for review/inspection. Prepares, assays, and administers radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation, or ingestion as prescribed by the physician. Radio labels blood components following VHA Radio labeled Blood Directive and departmental policies. Performs, evaluates, and monitors quality control measures of specialized equipment including all nuclear medicine equipment used in the performance of nuclear imaging, non-imaging studies, and ancillary equipment and records acquired data daily, i.e., gamma cameras, SPECT/CT, PET/CT systems, thyroid probe and uptake, GM meters, dose calibrators, well counters, Intego Infusion system, Crash cart. Adjust and maintain equipment. Verifying accuracy of ECG gating and operates and maintains ancillary devices, i.e., EKG machines, BP machines, case/treadmill machine, glucometer. Knowledge regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as Lasix, kinevac, captopril, adenosine, and lexiscan. With minimal supervision from senior level staff/supervisory technologist (when necessary), perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies, such as gated, tomographic quantitative and fused imaging. Knowledgeable in 3D and cross-sectional anatomy. Schedules patients for exams when necessary following departmental and VHA scheduling directives. Assisting the Nuclear Medicine Physician in performing a wide variety of advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies including, but not limited to 1-131, Y-90, Sm-153 and Ra-223. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients following hospital/departmental protocols. Perform daily room surveys and weekly wipe testing per departmental policy. Secures and stores radioactive material and sealed sources to prevent unauthorized access or removal. Uses personnel monitoring devices to measure external radiation exposure and bioassay to detect internal contamination. Disposes of radioactive waste by segregating, monitoring, labeling, and transferring waste to appropriate storage areas. Releases waste through the decay in storage. Defaces radiation symbols and wording before discarding/transferring packages. Records waste disposal data in the Hot Lab information system. The incumbent identifies unsafe or unsanitary conditions which may impose danger to self, customers, employees, or property, and understands processes to follow through to abate and/or minimize the impending hazard. Assists Supervisor in developing, revising, and maintaining procedure manuals May make recommendations to the Chief, Nuclear Medicine Service and appropriate administrate staff regarding equipment purchases, modifications, and construction within the department. Provides technical information when requested. Participates in clinician research activities, pharmaceutical clinical trials, and proposed new uses of radiopharmaceuticals. Participates in Tracer Observations and EOC rounds monthly. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri; 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51689A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized