Duties
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Directs daily operations of the Nuclear Medicine Service and assigns, supervises, and evaluates staff performance, competencies, and workload.
- Manages staffing, recruitment, performance evaluations, employee training, leave requests, overtime, work assignments, and on-call schedules.
- Responsible for performing direct patient care in the Nuclear Medicine department for coverage of Inpatient, Emergency Department and Outpatient imaging.
- Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of Nuclear Medicine Services by staff members
- Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures.
- Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings.
- Skill in providing administrative reports to management orally and in writing.
- Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section; recommend appointments, advancements, or, when appropriate, disciplinary actions; evaluate performance; and identify continuing education and training needs.
- Responsible for assisting the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) by overseeing the radiation safety program as it applies to Nuclear Medicine/Imaging Service while ensuring medical center compliance with all regulatory requirements regarding the uses and disposal of radioactive material, radiation protection of patients, personnel and the public wherever radioactive material is used.
- Ensures that Nuclear Health Physics Program (NHPP), The Joint Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), OIG, and all other regulatory bodies regulations and radiation safety guidelines are adhered to and performs necessary duties for compliance.
- Performs a wide range of functions including developing methods and procedures for receipt, handling, storage, disposal, and decontamination of radioactive materials in accordance with NRC/NHPP regulations and assuring that such procedures are carried out.
- Ensures that users of radioactive material are keeping proper records of receipt and inventory of radioactive materials.
- Responsible for working with the Radiation Physicist to developing a comprehensive plan for radioactive waste minimization for the medical Center.
- Develops procedures for overseeing the collection, storage, packaging, and disposal of radioactive waste.
- Supervises the receipt and distribution of radioactive packages and ensures the monitoring of these packages.
- Keeps a running inventory of all radioactive materials on hand in the Medical Center to ensure that radioactive materials are within permissible limits of our license.
- Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, and after hours and weekends, if necessary.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS-12187-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
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'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.
- Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019[, Employee Occupational Health Service.]
- 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:
GS-12
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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk (*):
(1) *Ability to assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of nuclear medicine services by staff members.
(2) Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures.
(3) *Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings.
(4) *Skill in providing administrative reports both orally and in writing [with higher level authorities (i.e., NHPP, TJC, NRC, Inspector General, executive leadership)].
(5) *Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section; recommend appointments, advancements, or, when appropriate, disciplinary actions; evaluate performance; and identify continuing education and training needs.
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. Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic. They also have supervisory responsibility over a program.
Preferred Experience:
- Possesses Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) or American Registry of Radiologic Technologist, Nuclear Medicine Technology (ARRT)(N) certifications.
- Minimum of three years of experience in Nuclear Medicine.
- Minimum of one year documented experience as a Nuclear Medicine Supervisor or Lead.
- Computer skill for accessing, receiving, sending, and manipulating data when required.
- Resolves patient complaints without the intervention of a supervisor.
- Is self-directed and self-managed without supervisor intervention.
References: VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II, Appendix G19. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-0601, Veterans Health Administration dated December 10, 2019.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: Must perform the essential functions of the job considering visual, physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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, résumé, 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.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf.
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.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Professional Certification
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
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.