Summary Nuclear Medicine Technologist Serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Department. Responsible for performing a full range of routine and non-routine radionuclide studies to aid in the diagnosis of various organ functional disorders. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\ickNBEws VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz\ua_UU Works independently, in performing routine and non-routine imaging procedures. Prepares proper instrument, computer, and auxiliary equipment and acquires imaging procedures as indicated by protocol. Evaluates image appearance and performs any additional views as required. Processes and evaluates computer-generated data. Obtains samples and/or data for non-imaging studies. Calculates and evaluates results of non-imaging studies. Assists with cardiac stress tests, and when necessary, start IVs, place EKG leads, take blood pressures, ensure all monitoring equipment is functional. Performs, evaluates, and monitors quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies, such as camera imaging systems (SPECT/CT, PET/CT), computers, dose calibrators, well/probe detector systems, and other ancillary equipment used daily. Troubleshoots and makes a judgment on the acceptable performance of equipment prior to initiating studies on patients. Assesses performance and troubleshoots film processing equipment. Operates and maintains auxiliary equipment: such as, EKG gating device; BP device; and hot lab equipment. Reviews the daily work schedule to plan radiopharmaceutical needs. Performs the role of Radiopharmacist by eluting the generator, preparing radiopharmaceutical kits, performing quality control, and evaluating the results. Prepares and dispenses diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical dosages. Labels blood components with a radiopharmaceutical. Prepares interventional pharmacologic agent. Maintains records of quality control procedures, administered doses and other related daily checks as required by NHPP, NRC, JCAHO, OSHA, VA Regulations, and other licensing and regulating bodies. Schedules patient studies, ensuring appropriate sequence of multiple procedures and interact with staff regarding exam preparation. Receives patient and provides proper care during nuclear medicine procedures. Communicates effectively with patient, family, and staff. Provides safe and sanitary conditions. Recognizes and responds to emergency conditions. Develops patient educational materials. Prepares patients for procedures. Obtains pertinent patient history and checks procedural contraindications. Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route. Identifies potential medical event and takes appropriate action and properly documents a medical event. Prepares the patient for bone density scanning by explaining the procedure, obtaining relevant patient history (including height/weight) and having patient remove all artifact producing objects. Performs and interprets results of required quality control tests, including, phantoms. Performs and processes bone density scanning utilizing reference database and verifying region of interest to assess accuracy of results. Performs radiation safety duties associated with the radiopharmacy/hot lab. Post appropriate signs in designated areas to comply with NRC regulations. Surveys, inspects, and inventories incoming radioactive materials. Reviews radioactive material packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions. Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive materials. Monitors and disposes of radioactive waste. Prepares and packages radioactive materials for transportation. Performs wipe tests and area radiation surveys. Uses proper procedures for managing emergency surveys in the event of a radiation accident, radioactive spill, or contamination by performing the proper clean-up, surveying and monitoring of the area. Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and to recommend procedures to minimize exposure. Provides instruction on proper radiation emergency procedures. Instructs the patient, family, and staff in radiation safety precautions after the administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Prepares, surveys, and cleans inpatient nuclear medicine radiotherapy room. Reviews monthly personal exposure records. Analyzes personal monitoring results and recommends corrective action as needed. Takes appropriate measures to reduce radiation exposure levels. Analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. Properly documents excessive radiation exposure. Work Schedule: Administrative Days Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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'sdegree. 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. 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 (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Examples of specialized experience includes: Documented excessive radiation exposure in the working environment Applied knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and properly documenting them and making recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). Communicated orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions Troubleshooting gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems Analyzed computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiated corrective measures Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement listed above the candidate must 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 This position is above the full performance level, which is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
