What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist position at VA St Louis Health Care System?
The Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist works under the supervision of the Chief Radiation Therapist/Supervisor and works independently with radiation treatments but confers with Radiation Oncologist and Supervisor on more difficult problems while working effectively to implement the organization's mission and goals.
Basic Requirements:
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: Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-11
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Assignments. The lead TRT functions as a team leader for a group of TRTs who provide the full range of general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology treatment procedures. The lead TRT provides technical oversight, distributes work assignments and provides input on performance and competencies. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: approving leave requests for a few hours or in emergency situations; instructing and training TRT staff on newly acquired equipment; providing orientation to staff, students, residents and others as requested; and assisting with staff scheduling, quality assurance, compliance, authoring, reviewing and updating procedures and policies. In addition, the lead TRT serves as the technical mentor, trainer and coach for the staff. The lead TRT is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
(a) Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies.
(b) Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues.
(c) Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
(d) Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service.
(e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills.
(f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures.
(g) Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested
(h) Skill in facilitating chart round
Preferred Experience: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist at GS-11 must posses a minimum of four years TRT of clinical experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service
Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases.
Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments.
Alerts appropriate staff as necessary if parameters fall outside the recommendations.
Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures.
Knowledge of consultations, simulation, and treatment planning and treatment procedures.
Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required.
Ensures proper use and administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient morbidity and mortality.
Communicate orally exam preparations/special orders to patients and hospital staff.
Ability to recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notifies appropriate staff.
Properly operates CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position set-ups.
Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment.
Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking.
Utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions.
Follows departmental procedures for electronic charting and coding utilizing ARIA and CPRS.
Routinely takes port/verification films on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy.
Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety.
Works professionally with all team members of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish goals.
Ability to work as a contributing and cooperative part of the radiation oncology team, communicating and interacting with team.
Knowledge of radioactive packaging, different types of radioactive sources that can be used in brachytherapy treatments.
Participates in the planning, direction, and distribution on work assignments of the lower grade level therapeutic radiologic technologist. Evaluates and reports on progression of workload and makes adjustments as required in accordance with established procedures.
Participates in Quality Assurance activities and provide data collection, data analysis, trends and reports on changes.
Including other assigned duties.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
- Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. 4 Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T)
- (Transcripts REQUIRED with application submission)
- Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). (1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). (2) Exception. (a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for TRT certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(B) for up to one year at the entry level only as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2)(B). (b) Graduate TRTs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate TRT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
- (Certification REQUIRED with application submission)
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: Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-11
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Assignments. The lead TRT functions as a team leader for a group of TRTs who provide the full range of general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology treatment procedures. The lead TRT provides technical oversight, distributes work assignments and provides input on performance and competencies. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: approving leave requests for a few hours or in emergency situations; instructing and training TRT staff on newly acquired equipment; providing orientation to staff, students, residents and others as requested; and assisting with staff scheduling, quality assurance, compliance, authoring, reviewing and updating procedures and policies. In addition, the lead TRT serves as the technical mentor, trainer and coach for the staff. The lead TRT is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
(a) Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies.
(b) Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues.
(c) Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
(d) Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service.
(e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills.
(f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures.
(g) Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested
(h) Skill in facilitating chart round
Preferred Experience: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist at GS-11 must posses a minimum of four years TRT of clinical experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service
Responsibilities:
Major duties include but are not limited to the following:Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases.
Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments.
Alerts appropriate staff as necessary if parameters fall outside the recommendations.
Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures.
Knowledge of consultations, simulation, and treatment planning and treatment procedures.
Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required.
Ensures proper use and administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient morbidity and mortality.
Communicate orally exam preparations/special orders to patients and hospital staff.
Ability to recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notifies appropriate staff.
Properly operates CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position set-ups.
Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment.
Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking.
Utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions.
Follows departmental procedures for electronic charting and coding utilizing ARIA and CPRS.
Routinely takes port/verification films on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy.
Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety.
Works professionally with all team members of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish goals.
Ability to work as a contributing and cooperative part of the radiation oncology team, communicating and interacting with team.
Knowledge of radioactive packaging, different types of radioactive sources that can be used in brachytherapy treatments.
Participates in the planning, direction, and distribution on work assignments of the lower grade level therapeutic radiologic technologist. Evaluates and reports on progression of workload and makes adjustments as required in accordance with established procedures.
Participates in Quality Assurance activities and provide data collection, data analysis, trends and reports on changes.
Including other assigned duties.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Salary : $96,968