Clarification from the agency

Current permanent employees of the Washington DC VA Medical Center. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major Duties:

• Responsible for the administrative supervision of all therapists in the department.
• Directs the technical operations, makes decisions concerning appointments, promotions, technical and status changes, and recognition of various performance levels.
• Interviews and selects or assists with the selection for vacant positions within the department.
• Coordinates or assists with the training and orientation of all new employees.
• Responsible for performance appraisals and competency of TRTs, as well as initiating disciplinary actions.
• Responsible for staff schedules, call schedules, and patient scheduling.
• Works collaboratively with labor partners and supports EEO standards and principles.
• Responsible for assuring supplies and materials are available when needed.
• Performs a wide variety of complex duties of a strategically critical nature.
• Receives patients and briefly explains methods of procedure to the patient.
• Obtains radiographs needed to localize the tumor volume in patients.
• Constructs accurate contour of the patient's body and performs necessary measurements to be utilized by physics/dosimetry during computer calculations of the treatment plan.
• Observes patient's progress throughout the treatment and informs the Radiation Oncologist, should any clinically significant change occur.
• Independently performs warm-up checks of each radiation therapy machine to assist the Radiation Physicist in identification and correction of machine malfunctions.
• Sets up patient in the proper position, delivers radiation therapy utilizing the linear accelerators.
• Records all parameters involved with each patient, including daily and accumulated doses, treatment time, field size and type of radiation used.
• Assists with the development and implementation of service goals, research, and preparation of all related reports. Investigates new equipment options and plans for long-term replacement.
• Performs routine daily warm up and morning checks of linear accelerators and simulators .
• Manages and coordinates all activities involving the training of radiation therapists.
• Maintains the daily operation of the department including providing coverage for clerical functions in the absence of the Medical Support Assistant with coordination from the Nurse Manager.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location, appearance, and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to ionizing radiation, and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by a wide variety of medical and surgical diseases.
• Knowledge of complex radiographic exposure techniques such as determination of technical factors and machine geometry of linear topographic X-ray machines or equipment of similar complexity, calculation of critical technical factors needed to show the difference between organs, glands, etc. of similar density when contrast material cannot be used.
• Knowledge to perform initial simulation and to direct the radiation oncologist's attention to issues related to either the patient's condition or the radiographic technique required to produce the study.
• Explains the validity of the radiographic results given the conditions and extenuating circumstances in which the study was produced.
• Knowledge of radiographic positioning required in complex procedures.
• Knowledge of first aid practices.
• Assures adequate safeguards are maintained for safety of the patient and the operator, a thorough knowledge of radiation protection standards, including concepts of cumulative dosage, genetic changes, and effects of radiation in living organisms is required.
• Important to be able to recognize any irregularities in the performance of the therapy units and bring it to the attention of the engineers and physicist(s).
• Evaluates, develops, and implements departmental policies and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with the national program office and radiation accrediting agencies.
• Knowledge of budget allocations and using resources within the budget - Investigates new equipment options and plans for long-term replacement needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 26491-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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 may be required to serve a 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

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.
• Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree 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)). Note: Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.
• Physical Requirements. The incumbent will be required to do the following: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).
• English Language Proficiency. All applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations: GS-12
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled. These include, but are not limited to, plans and implements work schedules to assure an even flow and distribution of work, adjusts work assignments as needed for daily operation; recommends methods to improve productivity and continuously reviews treatment procedure and delivery. They oversee attendance and leave of employees, including approval of sick and annual leave requests. They address employee performance and conduct concerns. They inform higher-level management of anticipated staffing variances and recommend promotions, reassignments, or other personnel changes, such as retention or release of probationary employees, periodic step increases and recommending recognition of superior performance in the therapeutic radiologic area.
(2) Assignments. Function as supervisors with full responsibility for planning and directing work of TRTs at the advanced level. Provide oversight to support staff. Adjust, coordinate and balances staffing levels to ensure patient care needs are met. Address employee performance and conduct concerns. Develop and update departmental operational policies and procedures. Work closely with the physicists to maintain timely records of equipment use, issues, schedules preventive maintenance inspections and other activities. Oversee the technical competency of the staff and keep current with technical protocols, radiation safety and quality management activities. Ensure all staff and affiliate staff follows compliance with accrediting and regulating bodies. Evaluate work and procedures of subordinate staff. Provide input on staffing levels. Provide estimates for budgeting to assist with the fiscal management.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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.

Preferred Experience: Experience as a supervisory RTT. Experience with ASTRO/APEX accreditation, Vision RT, Varian Edge, ARIA, Triggered Imaging. Experience within the VA system and communicating with teams such as Biomed.

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.

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; 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
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation
• 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.

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

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 (from 2026) if you are a current Federal employee
• Most recent separation SF-50 if you are a former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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