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.
- accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T).
Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT) (T)).
Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for TRT certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(B) for up to one year at the entry level only as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2)(B). Graduate TRTs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate TRT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases, TRTs must actively pursue meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may result in termination of employment.
Loss of Certification: Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.
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 for GS-12: Must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, that demonstrates the following technical competencies: Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies. (b) Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues. (c) Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (d) Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service. (e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills. (f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures. 10 (g) Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested (h) Skill in facilitating chart rounds.
Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
(a) Ability in managing daily operations of the department to include supervising radiation therapy staff; coordinating staffing, workload and schedules; setting priorities; and delegating tasks and responsibilities.
(b) Ability to coordinate and develop the quality improvement program to include evaluating and implementing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with the national program office, radiation accrediting agencies, hospital and other outside governing body standards.
(c) Ability to perform administrative duties to include, but not limited to: reviewing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees; interviewing and selecting candidates; providing training and departmental orientation; overseeing technical operations; granting promotions; and reviewing competencies and conducting performance appraisals.
(d) Ability to provide oversight to lower level TRTs with tasks such as CT simulation, treatment delivery, Record and Verify System (or other similar 12 treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and other products within the service.
(e) Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team, internal customers and external customers to manage the needs of patients and to accomplish the mission.
(f) Ability to adhere to radiation safety practices which include identifying and investigating treatment variations; reporting incidents; participating in quality assurance; addressing required reports, tasks and action items; and completing other requests using research and systematic data collection.
(g) Knowledge of budget allocations and using resources within the budget, procuring of day-to-day supplies, investigating new equipment options and planning for long-term replacement needs.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.Employee Occupational Health Service.