Summary

The VA Cheyenne Health Care System is hiring for (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist located in Cheyenne - WY. Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imaging - radioassay - evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control.

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
• To qualify 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: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program - OR 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 Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist- GS 11 (Above the Full performance Level) In addition to meeting the basic requirements the candidate must have: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level GS-11 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 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
• Physical Requirements: Bending - pushing - pulling - reaching and occasional kneeling - crawling and squatting
• lifting - carrying - bending - and manipulation of equipment
• patient assistance and positioning
• walking and prolonged standing
• the ability to read written orders - computer screens - patient records - and equipment controls
• and the ability to communicate with patients - physicians - and coworkers
• Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality
• Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients
• ability to make critical decisions - interact with patients of different ages and health conditions - maintain patient confidentiality - work under stressful conditions - such as operating or emergency rooms.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities: Produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• Use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• Have experience in physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings
• Obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient Education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• Analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• Analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions
• Prepare - assay - and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Be familiar with possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications - such as lasix and captopril - to be administered
• Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects
• Receive patients - explain procedure - answer questions relating to the procedure - position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• Obtain clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures
• Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations
• Perform a full range of Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging - non-imaging - in-vitro and therapeutic procedures - including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated - tomographic - quantitative procedures
• Keep updated with new imaging agents - procedures - and methods and write imaging protocols
• Analyze procedure images for quality
• Obtain additional images when necessary
• Be familiar in three-dimensional anatomy
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients
• Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification
• Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist
• Instruct patient - family - and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions
• Perform radiation surveys - post appropriate caution signs - and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required
• Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges
• Read and understand the film badge exposure report
• Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to public - radiation workers and self
• Prepare studies for Nuclear Medicine Physician's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure
• Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images
• Schedule patient procedures - taking into consideration camera availability - scan length - patient condition - the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies - other clinic appointments of the patient - contraindications for the test and urgency of the request
• Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for their scan - i.e
• NPO - follow certain diet - bowel prep - etc
• Utilize and practice the concepts of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principal when maintaining radiation exposures
• Assure that all Nuclear Medicine - Medical Center - VISN and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods
• Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure to self - public and coworkers
• Contacting the Radiopharmacy and Radiation Safety Officer if needed
• Calibrate thyroid uptake system - gamma cameras - dose calibrators and well counter
• Adjust and maintain instruments - verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards
• Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies - products - equipment and/or radio pharmaceuticals
• Instruct Nuclear Medicine students - Radiology students - new technologists - residents and others on techniques - procedures - equipment use - etc
• Assist in maintaining inventory of supplies and notify supervisor of low level of supplies in a timely manner
• Perform other nuclear medicine related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:30 a.m
• - 5:00 p.m
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 442-56089-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized