Summary Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist position is in the Radiation Oncology section, at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Technologists at this level must be able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy, and must possess a minimum of four years clinical TRT experience. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Responsibilities This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until June 29, 2026. Some duties include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, pathology, medical terminology, oncology, radiobiology, radiation physics, radiation oncology techniques, radiation safety and the psychosocial aspects of cancer. Possesses a working knowledge of consultation, simulation, treatment planning and treatment procedures. Interprets treatment plans generated by dosimetry and delivers the prescribed dose using accurate field parameters, relevant treatment protocols, and immobilization devices. Follows current guidelines, methods, and standards to perform Quality Assurance (QA) procedures of all treatment machines and CT scanners prior to daily business hours. Alerts appropriate staff, as necessary, if recorded values fall below or exceed set parameters. Skilled in the operation of complex and technical equipment to include use of the Varian True Beam linear accelerator, ARIA patient management systems, record and verify systems, electronic portal imaging, 3-D conformal radiation therapy systems, multi-leaf collimators, intensity modulated radiation therapy, On-Board Imaging, Cone Beam CT, and SBRT. Administers ionizing radiation treatments from the simple to the highly-complex for the purpose of treating disease. Performs quality control procedures for radiation therapy including weekly chart checks for data accuracy and completion. Orally communicates exam preparations/special orders to patients, team members, and hospital staff Coordinates scheduling of simulation, planning, and treatment procedures. Properly identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures prior to simulation and each daily radiation treatment. Knowledge of disease process, co-morbid conditions, and other factors relating to individual patients in selecting appropriate positioning devices for procedure to be performed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM EST-3:30 PM EST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 688-26234-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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). Certification. All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). (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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for the Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10: Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Example of GS-09 Experience: Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments, including advanced treatment modalities and procedures. Assignments at this level include but not limited to providing emergency treatment delivery, simple Monitor Unit dose calculation as assigned; scheduling simulation and treatment procedures; handling and storing radioactive materials; educating patient, family and staff on the administration of ionizing radiation; inspecting equipment for safety, operability and troubleshooting basic problems and machine issues. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments. This includes basic and advanced treatment modalities and procedures, which exceed the full performance level. Employee will be assigned the responsibility of emergency on-call treatments, if applicable, and perform simple Monitor Unit calculations. Other assignments include but, are not limited to performing CT simulations, troubleshooting for basic problems and machine issues, maintaining treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat and safe condition and assisting patients to and from the treatment room. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation. Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images. Preferred Experience: Prefers applicant to have 5 years' experience in radiation therapy, but new graduates are also encouraged to apply. A bachelor of science degree in radiation therapy is preferred. 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-10. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and carrying (50lbs.), 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. 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 "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and well-being. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
