Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open to the public. If you are a Current, Permanent VA employee, Health Professional Trainees or other Federal Employees, please apply to the internal announcement: CBSU-12889501-26-ALA

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.
• Must have the ability to work in a team oriented environment with multiple disciplines to include internal and external customers.
• 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: Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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.

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: Have experience performing 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/.

This position is listed as above full performance level at the GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

How you will be evaluated

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:

• CV/Resume
• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N)
• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• CV/Resume
• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N)
• Resume
• SF-15
• 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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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