Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) Job in Minneapolis, MN

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. Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education.
  • Effective January 1, 2017, candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration. The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Exception. Candidates who graduated prior to January 1, 2017, are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing.
• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services, Inc. or the International Education Research Foundation is required. Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered.
• Certification. All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB. Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists.
  • NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification.
  • NOTE: The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, P.L. 97- 35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. § 75. They must have completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be a Radiation Therapist certified in medical dosimetry.
• Exception for non-certified Medical Dosimetrists
  • Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for Medical Dosimetrist certification may be given a *temporary* appointment as a graduate TRT
  • Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Medical Dosimetrist at or above the full performance level.
  • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
  • Temporary appointments of non-certified Medical Dosimetrists may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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:

Medical Dosimetrist, GS-09. Employees at this grade level serve as entry level Medical Dosimetrists in a developmental level position

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. The basic requirements include Education and Certification/Eligibility for Certification.

Medical Dosimetrist, GS-10. This is a developmental position. Employees at this level are substantially independently function as staff Medical Dosimetrists and are able to carry out most procedures as Medical Dosimetrists under general supervision.

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
  • Skill in computer treatment planning to design patient treatment plans with awareness to dose limitations to critical structures following the prescription outlined by the radiation oncologist.
  • Ability to perform control procedures for radiation therapy including weekly chart checks for data accuracy and completion and quality assurance procedures on the treatment planning computer(s).
  • Ability to assist in the preparation and design of custom molds, boluses, templates, and compensating devices.
  • Ability to assist in computer tomography (CT) scans for tumor localization in radiation treatment planning to perform accurate patient contours for transfer to treatment planning devices

Medical Dosimetrist, GS-11. Medical Dosimetrists at this level are at the full performance level and are fully functional and carry out their assigned task independently in all areas of medical dosimetry

• Experience. At this level, candidates must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to provide services as a staff dosimetrist.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
  • Knowledge of radiation safety practices, including reporting discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, accrediting agencies, policies, and standard operating procedures.
  • Skill at importing diagnostic imaging studies from multiple media types and image fusion using CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET CT) for complex treatment planning.
  • Skill in using computer treatment software to develop an accurate deliverable complex plan such as 3D conformal, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, Volumetric Arc Therapy and stereotactic techniques, dose limitation to critical structures, Record and Verify software, and quality assurance (QA) methods following the directive outlined by the radiation oncologist.
  • Ability to effectively communicate all aspects of the directive and treatment planning process with the radiation oncology team to solve complex clinical treatment challenges.
  • Ability to delineate and accurately contour critical structures and tumor volumes used to develop a deliverable treatment plan through an in-depth knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and all diagnostic imaging modalities.
  • Ability to provide input or assist with the use or necessity of ancillary treatment devices, patient immobilization techniques and other patient positioning techniques as needed for simulation or treatment.
  • Ability to apply new developments, planning techniques, and technology in the field of radiation therapy such, as but not limited to, treatment planning system QA.

Preferred Experience: Certification by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, uncertified Medical Dosimetrists must actively pursue meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the Medical Dosimetrist's supervisor will provide the Medical Dosimetrist with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this period may result in termination of employment.

Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required certification of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation, which may also result in separation from employment.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

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.

Karin Wehmeyer

Phone

3193380581

Email

karin.wehmeyer@va.gov

Address

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
US