Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

Best qualified applicants will meet the following criteria in addition to the minimum qualifications for this position.

1. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists at a GS-11 level must possess a minimum of five (5) years clinical TRT experience.
2. Employees at this level must be able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy.
3. The competencies will substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties.
4. Technologists may give guidance and direction regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues to lower grade therapists, contractors, or fee base therapists.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

Citizenship.
Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed
when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance
with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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.

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).

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)).


(d) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, TRTs must actively pursue
meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their
appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from the date of
appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may
result in termination of employment.

(3) Loss of Certification. Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the
required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result
in termination of employment.

e. Physical Requirements.
Heavy Lifting and carrying (50 lbs), straight pulling/pushing, hand-over-hand pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder level, use of fingers and both hands required, walking/standing/crawling (5 hours), repeated bending (3 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color, emotional and mental stability.

f. English Language Proficiency.
TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written
English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the
following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11

(1) 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.

(3) 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 rounds.

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).

Preferred Experience:
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists at a GS-11 level must possess a minimum of five (5) years¿ clinical TRT experience.

Employees at this level must be able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy.
The competencies will substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties.

Technologists may give guidance and direction regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues to lower grade therapists, contractors, or fee base therapists.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level.
• Performs daily imaging procedures to ensure correct operations.
• Identifies individual patients by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and department policy 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.
• Verifies patient consent prior to initiating CT simulation.
• Coordinates with radiology for PET/MRI scans.
• Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient.
• Must be able to communicate with Nurse manger, BIOMED, FMS, Logistics, supply and other hospital staff as needed and relay message to the Chief RTT.
• Ability to assist the chief RTT and prepare for Apex, Joint commission and others.
• Properly operates CT simulator for 4DCT, SBRT, SRS, DIBH, HypeArc , supine/prone breast, Keloid, extremities, and provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups.
• Provides custom patient immobilization devices as instructed.
• Indicates on patient's skin with tattoos and or markings required to locate treatment area.
• Understands the computer operations to ensure proper control of computer patient data input to ensure accuracy of data output.
• Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vaults such as markings, tapes, or skin reactions and verify shifts/SSD's.
• Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment.
• Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment.
• Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone beam CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system.
• Utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, and other treatment.
• Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., bolus.
• Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription
• Maintains patient records and files.
• Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment.
• Check each patient for correct billing and appointment schedules on aria and communicate with MSA as needed.
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety.
• Maintains adequate supplies in the department, treatment vault and workstations.
• Maintains treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat, and safe condition always, as well as ensures appropriate supply availability.
• Works professionally with all team members of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy team.
• Providing the patients with accurate and compassionate treatment.
• Participates in reviewing, revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed or assigned.
• Provides technical oversight and assigned personnel, utilizing staff to provide the optimal level of patient care each day.
• 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 adjusts as required in accordance with established procedures and protocols.
• Ability to resolve informal employee complaints and minor differences of opinions.
• Instructs and mentors new recruits within the department.
• Evaluates and assists in training therapeutic radiologic technologists on newly acquired equipment.
• Participates in QA (quality assurance) activities to include and provide data collection, data analysis and trends and reports on changes based on data collection.
• Schedules therapists appropriately to ensure that coverage is adequate for clinic needs.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 07:00am - 03:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $118,863 - $200,000