Summary

Performs a wide variety of functional imaging - fusion imaging and non-imaging radionuclide studies - requiring the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of specialized equipment such as integrated computer/ gamma camera systems and counting instruments. Requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine technology and those aspects of chemistry - physics - mathematics - and the biomedical sciences that relate to Nuclear Medicine and radiation safety.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• 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
• 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: 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 directly related to the position being filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• 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 at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments - including special and complex imaging procedures - advanced therapies - clinical instruction - and quality management duties within the program
• Advanced therapies may include - but are not limited to - yttrium-90 - radium - and palliative bone pain therapy
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• NOTE: Experience that meets the KSAs above must be described in your resume in order to receive credit for this position
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work includes heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for long periods of time
• In the course of rendering appropriate patient care and obtaining results of functional studies and imaging procedures - the technologist will be required to assist the patient in assuming the proper position which may call for the technologist to stoop and bend in order to lift and position the patient into an appropriate manner for obtaining the required data
• Performance of the major portion of the in vitro and functional testing will require that the technologist spend a great deal of time on their feet
• There will occasionally be the necessity for moving heavy equipment to various rooms
• The requirement that the technologist handle radiopharmaceuticals carry with it the implied requirement that the material be continuously shielded within heavy barriers - which imposes an additional physical task upon the incumbent
• The technologist will be called upon to receive and handle shipments of radiopharmaceuticals - which will arrive with large amounts of heavy shielding about them - requiring significant physical effort to receive and store these in a proper manner.

Duties

• Must possess excellent venipuncture techniques using a variety of equipment
• Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static - dynamic - whole body - and SPECT scans
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection - by inhalation - or orally - considering precautions relative to radiation hazard - sterility - and radiochemical purity
• Has working knowledge of the procedure manual protocols but can independently create new or modify existing imaging protocols as required by the clinical presentation and request of the nuclear physician
• Receives patients - appropriately verifies patient identity - explains procedure - answers questions relating to the procedure - positions patient for all necessary views and tends to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• Obtains pertinent clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and patient interview for choosing appropriate imaging protocol for all procedures
• determines blood glucose level for PET exams
• Administers F-18 FDG and other PET Tracers - operates PET-CT scanner for acquisition of PET scans and CT for anatomic localization and attenuation correction
• Determines if additional information is needed for clarification of test results
• Assists radiologist in special administrations of radiopharmaceuticals and in therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures
• Assists the authorized user with informed consent and ensures written directives are properly obtained - and dose accurately assayed
• Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient - staff - and self
• Maintains records associated with receipt - administration - and disposal of radionuclides for nuclear medicine as mandated by the NHPP and NRC
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• Administers radiopharmaceutical dose for stress testing which is conducted by the cardiology staff
• Explains exams to patients so that the patient understands what is to being done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Performs quality control on gamma cameras and a variety of non-imaging instruments - including well and liquid scintillation counters and thyroid uptake probes
• Performs prescribed dose calibrator linearity and accuracy checks
• Assists with sentinel node localization and Yttrium-90 treatment in Interventional Radiology
• may assist in decontamination following inpatient I-131 therapy admissions
• Assists in scheduling patients with special instructions and coordinating with ordering the doses appropriate for every exam
• Develops and adapts protocols for new study or test procedures and examinations
• Participates in PQI projects for the entire department and be able to comply with the changes that come with it
• Performs and adapts established protocols used to determine and improve the quality of the diagnostic studies
• Trains or acclimates new technologists to the processes and procedures of the department and supervises and trains nuclear medicine technology students
• Registers patients and answers telephones when clerks are not available
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday - Friday - various tours
• This Position supports 24/7 operations throughout the calendar year
• Work is typically performed on assigned shift
• however - candidate may be subject to overtime work - shift work - and/or work on rotating shifts to include evenings - weekends - and holidays
• Subject to call back outside tour of duty
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/Functional Statement #: Nuclear Medicine Technologist/PD000000