Summary
***A recruitment or relocation incentive may be approved for highly qualified applicants***
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Department. Responsible for performing a full range of routine and non-routine radionuclide studies to aid in the diagnosis of various organ functional disorders.
Clarification from the agency
This is a Continuous Announcement. Candidates will be periodically reviewed and referred to the Service Line until the scheduled announcement close date or when the position is filled, whichever occurs first.
Duties
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- Works independently, in performing routine and non-routine imaging procedures.
- Prepares proper instrument, computer, and auxiliary equipment and acquires imaging procedures as indicated by protocol.
- Evaluates image appearance and performs any additional views as required. Processes and evaluates computer-generated data.
- Obtains samples and/or data for non-imaging studies.
- Calculates and evaluates results of non-imaging studies.
- Assists with cardiac stress tests, and when necessary, start IVs, place EKG leads, take blood pressures, ensure all monitoring equipment is functional.
- Performs, evaluates, and monitors quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies, such as camera imaging systems (SPECT/CT, PET/CT), computers, dose calibrators, well/probe detector systems, and other ancillary equipment used daily.
- Troubleshoots and makes a judgment on the acceptable performance of equipment prior to initiating studies on patients.
- Assesses performance and troubleshoots film processing equipment.
- Operates and maintains auxiliary equipment: such as, EKG gating device; BP device; and hot lab equipment.
- Reviews the daily work schedule to plan radiopharmaceutical needs.
- Performs the role of Radiopharmacist by eluting the generator, preparing radiopharmaceutical kits, performing quality control, and evaluating the results.
- Prepares and dispenses diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical dosages.
- Labels blood components with a radiopharmaceutical.
- Prepares interventional pharmacologic agent.
- Maintains records of quality control procedures, administered doses and other related daily checks as required by NHPP, NRC, JCAHO, OSHA, VA Regulations, and other licensing and regulating bodies.
- Schedules patient studies, ensuring appropriate sequence of multiple procedures and interact with staff regarding exam preparation.
- Receives patient and provides proper care during nuclear medicine procedures.
- Communicates effectively with patient, family, and staff.
- Provides safe and sanitary conditions.
- Recognizes and responds to emergency conditions.
- Develops patient educational materials.
- Prepares patients for procedures.
- Obtains pertinent patient history and checks procedural contraindications.
- Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route.
- Identifies potential medical event and takes appropriate action and properly documents a medical event.
- Prepares the patient for bone density scanning by explaining the procedure, obtaining relevant patient history (including height/weight) and having patient remove all artifact producing objects.
- Performs and interprets results of required quality control tests, including, phantoms.
- Performs and processes bone density scanning utilizing reference database and verifying region of interest to assess accuracy of results.
- Performs radiation safety duties associated with the radiopharmacy/hot lab.
- Post appropriate signs in designated areas to comply with NRC regulations.
- Surveys, inspects, and inventories incoming radioactive materials.
- Reviews radioactive material packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions.
- Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive materials. Monitors and disposes of radioactive waste.
- Prepares and packages radioactive materials for transportation.
- Performs wipe tests and area radiation surveys.
- Uses proper procedures for managing emergency surveys in the event of a radiation accident, radioactive spill, or contamination by performing the proper clean-up, surveying and monitoring of the area.
- Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and to recommend procedures to minimize exposure.
- Provides instruction on proper radiation emergency procedures.
- Instructs the patient, family, and staff in radiation safety precautions after the administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
- Prepares, surveys, and cleans inpatient nuclear medicine radiotherapy room.
- Reviews monthly personal exposure records.
- Analyzes personal monitoring results and recommends corrective action as needed.
- Takes appropriate measures to reduce radiation exposure levels.
- Analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
- Properly documents excessive radiation exposure.
Work Schedule: Administrative Days
Telework: Not Eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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:
- (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'sdegree. 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.
Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine 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 (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Examples of specialized experience includes:
- Documented excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
- Applied knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and properly documenting them and making recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO).
- Communicated orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
- Troubleshooting gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
- Analyzed computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiated corrective measures
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement listed above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
i. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
ii. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
iii. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
iv. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
v. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
vii. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.
References: VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II, Appendix G19
This position is above the full performance level, which is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements:
You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Professional Certification
- Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations - signed within the last 12 months
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) narrative documentation - found in qualifications section of announcement
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/28/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12375600.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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