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'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.
English Language Proficiency. NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. 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:
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) , GS-11.
Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9) level directly related to the position being filled.
Assignment. 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 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected or MR fused images. They carry out these complex assignments independently. Assignments may include advanced therapies. 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:
- 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: Minimum of 1 year Nuclear Medicine ARRT/CMNT certification/experience in a hospital setting. BLS certification preferred. Knowledge physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. Knowledge of CT radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters. Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system.
References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Transmittal Sheet 12/10/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent usually works standing and has patient contact involving occasional heavy lifting, and/or assisting patients. This can be particularly severe when patients are combative and uncooperative. The computer area of the in vivo section calls for long periods of working around loud noise, prolonged concentration and long periods of sitting, while working under pressure of a deadline to produce accurate patient test results. They must have full manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens.