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.
- Certification. (1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T). (2) Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Experience or Education. Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US
- Physical Requirements. The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes, treatment devices, and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks. Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning, which may require reaching, lifting, or working in strained positions. The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
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).
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-8
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities/core competencies described at that level.
(2) Assignment. Staff TRTs at this developmental level perform a substantially full range of basic clinical duties and basic treatment delivery modalities. They will receive guidance and directions regarding most complex treatment delivery modalities, and unfamiliar or unusual situations for complex patient clinical issues. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to set-up of the treatment room with prescribed immobilization devices and supplies for each individual patient before treatment. They deliver treatments providing basic and some advanced radiation treatment modalities on a linear accelerator. Staff TRTs conduct daily quality measures, machine warm up procedures, interpretation of output levels compared with established thresholds and other assignments.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
(a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
(b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles.
(c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems.
(d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations, design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation.
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
(2) Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments, including advanced treatment modalities and procedures.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
(a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
(b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance.
Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of experience as a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Radiation Therapist).
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to . GS-9