Summary

The Advanced Nuclear Medicine Technologist has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity - ranging in a wide variety. This Multi-Modality Technologist must hold appropriate specific certification in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)) - as well as CT (NMTCB(CT) or ARRT(CT)) and/or MR (ARRT(MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties

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'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
• Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)) - as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)) - and/or MR (ARRT (MR))
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA [as a NMT] on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1)Such employees in an occupation that requires a [certification] - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the journey (full performance) level - or [changed to lower grade] within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2)Such employees in an occupation that requires a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to the higher-grade levels
• (3)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4)Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5)If an employee who was [in the NMT] occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation - the employee loses protected status - and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) - GS-11 (a) 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: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
• Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO)
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
• Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
• Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Knowledge of contrast media - side effects - medication allergic reactions - drug interactions - and extravasation assessment
• ii
• Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs - body mass index - or area of interest
• iii
• Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi- modality imaging
• iv
• Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems
• v
• Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary
• vi
• Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans
• Assignments
• For all assignments above the journey level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT - SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine - CT - and/or MR fused images
• Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)) - as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)) - and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties
• They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures
• Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction - contraindications - and medication interactions
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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

• This assignment performs fusion imaging such as complex PET/CT procedures - diagnostic imaging in general Nuclear Medicine - stress testing and SPECT/CT imaging in Nuclear Cardiology - radionuclide therapy for various cancers
• operation and required quality assurance of various gamma cameras - PET/CT scanner - and monitoring instrumentation
• working within radiation safety guidelines of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Department of Transportation - National Health Physics Program - Occupational Safety and Health Association - Joint Commission - among others
• These complex assignments are carried out independently
• PET/CT Specific Serves as a technologist for the PET/CT modality - performing daily and periodic quality control testing of PET/CT scanner (and other supporting equipment) - organizing workflow - and performing patient studies
• Receives patient - explains procedure - answers questions relating to the procedure - positions patient for all necessary views and tends to patient comfort
• Obtains clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family for choosing appropriate imaging protocol
• Qualified to obtain patient blood glucose level prior to injecting imaging tracer to determine if scan is appropriate based on that level
• Routinely passes quality control testing to stay current on operating glucometer
• Prepares - assays - and administers F-18 FOG or other prescribed positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals - recording - patient and dose parameters essential to interpretation of scan
• Under radiologist supervision - administers IV contrast to enhance CT images after reviewing patient chart for contraindications and renal lab values (impaired renal function or hypersensitivity)
• Utilizes knowledge and proficiency in the performance of T scans with optimization of scanning parameters (mA - kVp - pitch - FOV - etc)
• Documents the use of CT contrast - including any allergic reactions - on all paperwork and in the computerized patient data system Prepares studies for nuclear medicine physician's and general radiologist's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure - processing - and transmitting images to fusion workstation/PACS
• Nuclear Medicine Specific Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static - dynamic - and SPECT/CT scans
• Receives all nuclear medicine procedure requests and schedules according to preferred date - taking into consideration other appointments - preparation criteria - and convenience for veterans
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection - inhalation - or orally
• Explains exams to patient so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards if any
• Prepares patient for exams by achieving intravenous access and placing IV catheter when needed utilizing aseptic technique and standard precautions for infection control
• Ensures correct study is being performed on the specified patient by reviewing appropriateness of indication and patient's medical history
• Works with cardiology staff physicians - fellows - and other personnel to screen all patients and determine which nuclear medicine cardiac test is appropriate
• taking into consideration lung diseases - weight - ability to exercise - medications - etc
• Radiation Safety Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient - staff - and self
• This is achieved by using shielding and appropriate PPE - with thorough understanding and practice of \"As Low As Reasonable Achievable\" (ALARA) principles
• Capable of performing complex therapies and other duties that relate to treatments
• Performs in-vitro cell labeling for various procedures while carefully following appropriate blood labeling measures and record keeping
• Performs daily and weekly laboratory surveys and wipes tests to verify absence of radioactive contamination
• Assists the National Health Physics Program (NHPP) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in audits and inspections ensuring regulatory compliance
• Maintains records associated with incoming diagnostic doses - DOT wipes - departmental surveys - administration - and disposal of radionuclides as mandated by the NHPP and NRC
• Scheduling Fields all orders while screening them for urgency - appropriateness - and contraindications
• Completes a full history that's applicable to scan such as: Medications that interfere with exam and notes the length of discontinuation to avoid inaccurate results
• Obtains physician approval before any medications stopped
• Works with patient and other clinics to schedule and coordinate exam(s) in accordance with VA scheduling mandates
• Explains test and extensive prep that patient must follow to complete exam
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized