Summary The Nuclear Medicine Technologist position is located in the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the West Roxbury, MA location. This position is a Full-Time position at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities Administers radiopharmaceuticals or pharmaceuticals Verifying patient identity before the administration of radiopharmaceuticals utilizing necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using at least two unique identifiers. Determining the rout of administration according to established protocol (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous, etc.). Establishing venipuncture access using aseptic technique. Positioning the patient and obtaining images Waiting an appropriate length of time after the administration of a radiopharmaceutical to begin the imaging procedure Acquiring imaging views according to established protocols and acquiring additional views to optimize information content Properly positioning the patient using supportive materials and immobilizers, as necessary Providing for proper comfort and care to the patient before, during, and after a procedure, including the monitoring of intravenous lines, oxygen supplies, and drains Establishing and maintaining proper communication with patients Behaving in a professional manner in consideration and observation of patient's rights and dignity. Prepares the patient by: Reviewing the indication for the study for appropriateness and following up with the authorized user and/ or referring physician as necessary to assure that the proper study is being performed. Verifying patient identification, date of last menstrual period, pregnancy/breast feeding status, and written orders for the procedure as well as renal function tests if the patient is undergoing CT with IV contrast. Obtaining a pertinent medical history and confirming the patient's candidacy for the procedure. Recognizing and responding to medical emergency conditions by: Initiating a call for assistance. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary. Maintaining intravenous fluids, oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday. Hours: 6:00am-6:00pm. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04538 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not 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 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. Certification. 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'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. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below. Loss of Credential. Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists. English Language Proficiency. Nuclear medicine technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations:GS-11 Experience: At this level, completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position to be filled, i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the KSAs and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology and administrative services is required. This experience must have provided the candidate with an in-depth knowledge of common and uncommon nuclear medicine procedures, in-depth knowledge of radiation safety practices, and knowledge of staffing levels, financial management, personnel management, and supply management. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all 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. Preferred Experience Will consider new graduates. CT certificate is an additional benefit. Hybrid Imaging and Theragnostic experience preferred. Assignments. Candidates at this grade level serve as staff NMTs at the journey level. NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; properly and independently handle unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions. It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19. Physical Requirements: This position requires a moderate amount of physical activity working with the equipment and maneuvering patients including eye/hand coordination; full use of arms, hands and wrists; transporting, lifting, lowering, moving, turning heavy objects and/or patients; standing, sitting, or reaching for extended periods of time. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information 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.
