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.

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.

Duties

• 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