The Nuclear Medicine Technologist has the overall responsibility for the coordination and performance of Nuclear Medicine examinations working in Nuclear Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine Department, PET/CT and Hot Lab. The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of nuclear medicine technology, and those aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the biomedical sciences that relate to nuclear medicine. 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. 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: (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR (2) 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph Sa, 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: GS-11 Experience: For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9 grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments, including special and complex imaging procedures, advanced therapies, clinical instruction, and quality management duties within the program. Advanced therapies may include, but are not limited to, yttrium-90, radium, and palliative bone pain therapy. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. The demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. ii. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. iii. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. iv. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. v. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures. vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. vii. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["Major duties include but are not limited to: Prepares, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Performs 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, SPECT/CT and PET/CT. Schedules 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 he/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc. Participates in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment, and/or radiopharmaceuticals Performs 12 lead EKG on patient, monitor vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, obtain pertinent patient history. Provide IV supplies and charts for physician. Maintains calibration of glucometer used to measure patient blood glucose levels. Screens patients for acceptable glucose levels prior to PET/CT. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 4:00pm 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"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
