Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) at this grade level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. They are qualified to perform nuclear imaging procedures of significant complexities. Employees serve in advanced assignments including special and complex imaging procedures and will have varying assignments including clinical instruction, and quality management duties.

Qualifications:

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. RRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005.
• Licensure (Submit Documentation). 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.

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. 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 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.
• 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: Possess 5 or more years in nuclear medicine and PET/CT.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability.

Responsibilities:

Functions or Scopes of Practice.Performs fusion imaging such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation correction or MR fused images. NMT must also carry out advanced therapies such as Y-90 and others as they become available in our facility.The incumbent will also:

• Produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Be knowledgeable and maintain skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
• Be knowledgeable of physiological processes as they relate to radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
• Obtain, assess, order and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
• Provide clinical instruction to new staff/ students.
• Analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take corrective action.
• Produce and assess high quality fusion images.
• Be knowledgeable of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques as it relates to Nuclear Imaging protocols.
• Recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.
• Develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
• Analyze instances of increase radiation exposure levels and recommend corrective action.
• Perform in an advanced capacity and carry out their assignments independently.
• Be proficient in PET/CT and/or PET/MR.
• Be skilled in producing high quality SPECT/CT scans and PET.
• Follow Joint Commission National Safety Goals, including patient identification by using at least two patient identifiers.
• Wear radiation badge while performing NMT duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Part-time - Wednesday-Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 30649F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $96,228