Career Center

Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radio assay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control. 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. Must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of 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). Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-11 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at that level. Examples include but are not limited to level full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; properly and independently handle unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G19. APPENDIX G19. NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0601, Dated December 10, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. Physical Requirements: Light to heavy lifting over 45 pounds; light to moderate carrying, up to 44 pounds; straight pulling; pushing, reaching above shoulders; use of both hands and fingers required; walking, standing; kneeling; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted) ["Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as lasix and captopril, to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects. Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer. Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures. Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures. Senior technologist is experienced in PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and AART CT certified or pending certification. Perform DEXA's when needed. Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification Perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses. Fill out written directives and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician. Instruct patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys, post appropriate caution signs, and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges. Read and understand the film badge exposure report. Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to public, radiation workers and self. Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by insuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure. Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images. Schedule patient procedures, taking into consideration camera availability, scan length, patient condition, the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies, other clinic appointments of the patient, contraindications for the test and urgency of the request. Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc. Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Understand different precautions used based upon the various package types. Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and survey monitor methods. Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure to self, public and coworkers. Contacting the Radiopharmacy and radiation safety officer if needed. Calibrate thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, dose calibrators and well counter. Adjust and maintain instruments, verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify and record the cause of problems when they occur. Troubleshoot issues and make simple repairs when possible. Otherwise assist in scheduling repairs and/or maintenance as needed. Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment and/or radiopharmaceuticals. Instruct Nuclear Medicine students, Radiology students, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures, equipment use, etc. Evaluate the validity of data in relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed for clarification of test results or to establish a definite diagnosis and confers with physicians on additional tests as necessary. Work Schedule: Typically Monday thru Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Nuclear Medicine Technologist/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]