Summary

This position is located in the Radiation Oncology Section of the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in the Radiation Oncology Section.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education
• Effective January 1 - 2017 - candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration
• The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) - or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• (2) Exception
• Candidates who graduated prior to January 1 - 2017 - are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing
• Certification(s)
• All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB
• Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists
• NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work
• Foreign Graduates: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services - Inc
• or the International Education Research Foundation is required
• Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered
• Grade Determinations: Lead Medical Dosimetrist - GS-12
• Experience
• At this level - candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to perform lead duties such as orientation and training for staff - provide input for yearly appraisals - direct progress and coordinate dosimetry work
• (b) Ability to develop the Quality Improvement Program by evaluating - establishing and implementing departmental policies - standard operating procedures and department compliance with the national program office - radiation accrediting agencies - hospital and outside governing body standards
• (c) Ability to solve complex technical problems by instructing and providing oversight to lower-level Medical Dosimetrists and trainees with regard to treatment planning - using the Record and Verify System (or other similar systems) - using newly acquired equipment and other devices and products within the service
• (d) Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team and other internal and external customers to manage patients' needs
• (e) Ability to provide broad oversight and assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or treatment planning as directed by Medical Physicists
• Preferred Experience: Must demonstrate an understanding of topics including - but not limited to cancer - radiation biology - radiation therapy techniques - radiation Oncology physics - equipment technology - radiation safety and protection - anatomy - physiology - and mathematics to generate treatment plans
• The Lead Dosimetrist generates the treatment plan - by utilizing image data sets acquired during a CT simulation - along with other imaging modalities (PET - MRI - etc. -) to simulate radiation delivery to the tumor site in a virtual computerized environment
• The treatment plan upon approval by both the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist will be used to deliver ionizing radiation to the patient as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting at a computer
• There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as physical treatment and immobilization devices - molds - shielding blocks - QA equipment - etc
• Assists with patient positioning and patient immobilization - helping lift the patient to or from stretchers or wheelchairs onto treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12778470-25-TH
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Serves as main liaison between the Chief Radiation Oncologist - the Chief Medical Physicist and other Medical Dosimetrists
• Designs treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation utilizing the appropriate optimization algorithms - with optimal beam geometry to deliver a prescribed radiation dose and spare critical structures in accordance with the Radiation Oncologist's prescription
• Performs revisions instructed by either the Radiation Oncologist and/or the Medical Physicist - to achieve the most optimal treatment plan for the patient
• Identifies and contours normal and dose-limiting structures by utilizing images from one or more data sets
• Demonstrates proficiency with tools used within the treatment planning system and the R&V System
• Demonstrates proficiency in image registration and image deformation with various imaging data sets - including CT - MRI - PET - etc
• Creates and transfers reference images and localization markers for treatment setup verification and treatment delivery to include DRR's - CBCT's and other IGRT methods - as specified to the R&V system
• Assists with patient simulations and tumor localization using specified imaging devices including - but not limited to CT - MRI - and PET
• Assist with CT or clinical simulation tasks - including but not limited to immobilization - bolus placement - isocenter localization - while anticipating possible clinical limitations at the treatment unit and advising the simulation therapist as such
• Assists with the fabrication of beam modifying devices
• Communicates with the radiation therapist(s) in the implementation of the treatment plan
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 580-02066F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required