The Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologists within Phoenix VA have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others. Basic Requirements. The basic requirements for employment as a NMT are prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). To qualify for appointment as a NMT, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States Certification. All applicants must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below. Exceptions. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(D). Failure to obtain certification [within 1 year from the date of appointment] is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment. Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, NMTs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within 1 year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment.] Loss of Credential. Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists. English Language Proficiency. Employees must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. Grade Determinations: Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-11 Experience. For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to motivate and mentor staff Ability to respond to decrease staffing levels or increase in workload involving all parties that restructure work assignments Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor and staff Preferred experience: NMTs in this assignment performs fusion imaging in Nuclear Cardiology, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and MR fused images. Should have the ability to develop and adapt protocols for new study or test procedures and examinations in all areas of the department. As senior technologist, interprets and directs the accomplishment of the most difficult requests, developing new protocols as required. Assists the nuclear medicine physician or Radiologist in performing all therapeutic procedures to include 1-131 ablations, Y-90 mappings and therapies, and XOFIGO treatments. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 (Employee Occupational Health Service.) ["Duties include, but are not limited to : Administers radiopharmaceuticals and/ or pharmaceuticals using standard precaution techniques, including: Verifying patient identity before the administration of medication or radiopharmaceuticals Determining the rout of administration according to established protocol (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous, etc.) Establishing and / or verifying venipuncture access using aseptic technique Positioning the patient and obtaining images including: Waiting an appropriate length of time after the administration of a radiopharmaceutical to begin the imaging procedure Acquiring imaging views according to established protocols and acquiring additional views to optimize information content Properly positioning the patient using supportive materials and immobilizers, as necessary Exercising independent judgment in positioning a patient or detector unit to best demonstrate pathology and to adapt to the patient's limitations Indicating appropriate anatomic landmarks for each view of the procedure Review images to assure that the correct information is supplied Provides patient care by: Providing for proper comfort and care to the patient before, during, and after a procedure, including the monitoring of intravenous lines, oxygen supplies, and drains Establishing and maintaining proper communication with patients Behaving in a professional manner in consideration and observation of patient's rights and dignity Providing functionally safe and sanitary conditions for the patient and staff in compliance with standard precautions policies Recognizing and responding to medical emergency conditions by: Initiating a call for assistance Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary Maintaining intravenous fluids, oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives Prepares the patient by: Reviewing the indication for the study for appropriateness and following up with the authorized user and/ or referring physician as necessary to assure that the proper study is being performed Verifying patient identification, date of last menstrual period, pregnancy/breast feeding status, and written orders for the procedure Obtaining a pertinent medical history and confirming the patient's candidacy for the procedure Assuring that any pre-study preparation has been completed, such as hydration, voiding, bowel cleansing, suspension of interfering drugs, blood serum glucose assessments, intravenous line and / or bladder catheter placement before any procedures are started. Properly explaining the procedure to the patient, parent, or guardian, and when necessary, obtaining the assistance of and interpreter or translator Checking patient clothing and linen for objects that may cause image artifacts The technologist displays: Thorough knowledge of molecular level physiological functions that relate to glucose metabolism, blood flow, brain oxygen utilization, perfusion, and receptor-ligand binding rates Thorough knowledge of physiologic processes that relate to organ system function and anatomy and their radiopharmaceutical demonstration of normal and pathologic states Performs fusion imaging in Nuclear Cardiology, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and MR fused images Ability to develop and adapt protocols for new study or test procedures and examinations in all areas of the department Interprets and directs the accomplishment of the most difficult requests, developing new protocols as required Assists the nuclear medicine physician or Radiologist in performing all therapeutic procedures to include 1-131 ablations, Y-90 mappings and therapies, and XOFIGO treatments Work Schedule: Monday, Wednesday - Friday 0700 - 1700 (Four 10hr shifts, Tuesdays off) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
