Summary

Serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for the Nuclear Medicine Service and is responsible for independently performing a full range of routine - non-routine - research and new radionuclide studies - to include PET/CT. Independently performs and evaluates images and computer generated data and performs additional views as required. "The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below."

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: 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: [Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist -] GS-12 (a) Experience
• [For assignments above the journey level - the candidate must have 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
• (b) 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
• Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic
• They also have supervisory responsibility over a program
• [(c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk (*):] i
• *Ability to assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of nuclear medicine services by staff members
• ii
• Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures
• iii
• *Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings
• iv
• *Skill in providing administrative reports both orally and in writing [with higher level authorities (i.e. - NHPP - TJC - NRC - Inspector General - executive leadership)]
• v
• *Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section
• recommend appointments - advancements - or - when appropriate - disciplinary actions
• evaluate performance
• and identify continuing education and training needs
• Preferred Experience: PET/CT working experience mandatory - SPECT/CT experience preferred References: See VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G19 - Society of Nuclear Medicine Guidelines - AART Guidelines for certification - CNMT Guidelines for certification
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of to GS 12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 [ Employee Occupational Health Service ]

Duties

• The technologist must possess professional knowledge of the scientific principles - concepts and methodology of nuclear medicine technology to carry out a variety of diagnostic tests and verify results
• He/She must be knowledgeable of multiple physical facts of radionuclides - their use and their effect on the different body organs being imaged
• The technologist must possess multidisciplinary skills in order to assist with stress tests by starting IV's - placing EKG leads - taking blood pressures and ensuring all monitoring equipment is functional
• In case of an emergency - the technologist provides oxygen - fluids - administers CPR and other life support when necessary while waiting for dedicated medical emergency staff to arrive
• Major duties include but not limited to: Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic
• The preparation - calibration and administration of radiopharmaceuticals under the direction of an authorized user (Nuclear Medicine Physician) Performance of quality control procedures - the operation of imaging - laboratory - and computer instrumentation Independently performs a full range of routine radionuclide imaging studies of various organ systems by planar - tomographic (SPECT) and PET/CT techniques
• Evaluates images and computer generated data and performs additional views as required
• Prepares proper instruments - computers and auxiliary equipment and acquires images as indicated by protocols
• Independently performs - evaluates and monitors quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies such as gamma camera imaging systems by testing flood uniformity - linearity and spatial resolution with devices such as point sources - radioactive flood sources - bar phantoms - computers - dose calibrators - well/probe detector systems - and other ancillary equipment used on a daily basis
• Troubleshoots and makes judgments on the acceptable performance of the equipment prior to initiating studies on patients
• Performs - monitors and documents monthly - quarterly and annual quality control procedures on equipment
• Maintains inventory of radioactive sources used for quality control and associated documentation
• Assumes all the duties and responsibilities of a technologist in the operation and calibration of the PET/CT scanner and will be willing to receive the necessary training to engage in the daily operation of the PET/CT
• Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required