VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
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. 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: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR 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. Loss of Credential: Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and/or MR fused images. Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of contrast media, side effects, medication allergic reactions, drug interactions, and extravasation assessment. ii. Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs, body mass index, or area of interest. iii. Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multimodality imaging. iv. Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems. v. Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary. vi. Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors are working with radiant energy, electrical energy, working around machinery with moving parts, and working in a "hot lab" with radiopharmaceuticals.
The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity, ranging in a wide variety. This assignment performs fusion imaging such as complex PET-CT procedures, diagnostic imaging in general Nuclear Medicine, stress testing and SPECTCT imaging in Nuclear Cardiology, radionuclide therapy for various cancers; operation and required quality assurance of various gamma cameras, PET-CT scanner, and monitoring instrumentation; working within radiation safety guidelines of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), Joint Commission, among others. Incumbent may be required to perform some diagnostic CT duties. These complex assignments are carried out independently. This Multi-Modality Technologist must hold appropriate specific certification in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT) or ARRT (CT)) and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. Serves as a technologist for the PET/CT modality, performing daily and periodic quality control testing of PET/CT scanner (and other supporting equipment), organizing workflow, and performing patient studies. Receives patient, explains procedure, answers questions relating to the procedure, positions patient for all necessary views and tends to patient comfort. Obtains clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family for choosing appropriate imaging protocol. Qualified to obtain patient blood glucose level prior to injecting imaging tracer to determine if scan is appropriate based on that level. Routinely passes quality control testing to stay current on operating glucometer. Performs daily quality control test to check glucometer accuracy. Prepares, assays, and administers F-18 FDG or other prescribed positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals, recording, patient and dose parameters essential to interpretation of scan. Under radiologist supervision, administers IV contrast to enhance CT images after reviewing patient chart for contraindications and renal lab values (impaired renal function or hypersensitivity). Utilizes knowledge and proficiency in the performance of CT scans with optimization of scanning parameters (mA, kVp, pitch, FOV, etc). Documents on the use of CT contrast, including any allergic reactions, on all paperwork and in the computerized patient data system (i.e. CPRS). Prepares studies for nuclear medicine physician's and general radiologist's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure, processing, and transmitting images to fusion workstation/PACS. Troubleshoot clinical and/or instrumentation problems with the PET-CT modality, interfacing with biomedical engineering as necessary. Instructs nuclear medicine students, radiology students, new technologists, residents, and others on techniques, procedures, and equipment use; along with motivating all to obtain a greater knowledge of the field of nuclear medicine. Maintains PET hot lab with prescribed dose calibrator quality assurance and stocking of supplies. Properly uses and maintains quality assurance of the PET F-18 injector, Medrad Intego. Displays thorough knowledge of molecular level physiological function that relates to glucose metabolism, blood flow, and 3-D anatomy. Receives extensive training and education on scanners through onsite training. Is responsible for researching and developing new protocols as required for expansion of PET-CT procedures (example: cardiology, radiation therapy planning, NaF bone imaging). Provides patient studies to the oncology department and tumor board for therapy planning and tracking of disease progression Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:30am-4:00pm with rotating on call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized