Summary Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radio-assay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling, evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control, working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program, and OSHA. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Assures that all Radiology/Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, VISN, and Radiation Safety polices are effectively followed. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and assure their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Ensure intravenous catheters are patent prior to administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilize necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as Lasix, LexiScan, and intravenous Iodine to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects. Operate nuclear medicine gamma imaging systems and radiation safety equipment including planar-single-photon, single-photon-emission-computed-tomography (SPECT), integrated hybrid scanners such as SPECT/CT, PET/CT, well counters, Geiger-Mueller survey meters, thyroid uptake system, dose calibrators and Nuclear Medicine Information System (NMIS). Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vivo, and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer processing assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, and quantitative procedures. Demonstrate and complete all procedural competencies. Be knowledgeable in three dimensional anatomies. Perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Physician. Including but not limited to Ra-223, I-131, and I-123. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses. Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with Nuclear Medicine Physician's authorization. Instruct patient, family, and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys, post appropriate caution signs, properly monitor, and store any radioactive waste for disposal. Adjust, maintain, and calibrate instruments including Nuclear Medicine imaging systems, thyroid uptake system, dose calibrators, well counter, radiation detectors, survey meters, and verify correct operation using established quality control standards. Identify and record the cause of problems when they occur. Troubleshoot issues and make simple repairs when possible. Otherwise create a Bio/Med work order and assist in scheduling repairs and/or maintenance as needed keeping the Supervisor informed. Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary. Evaluate study for technical abnormalities (artifacts) and take the proper steps to correct the problem. Evaluate the validity of date in the relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed for clarification of test results or to establish a definite diagnosis and confers with physicians on additional tests as necessary. Identify positive results and notify the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately. 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, images, and electronically send to the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer. Instruct Nuclear Medicine students, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures and equipment use. Help other technologists, when necessary, i.e., difficult, or uncooperative patient, heavy workload, etc. Maintain and encourage an environment of teamwork and positive workplace. Interact with representatives from outside agencies such as JCAHO, NRC, NHPP, VISH, and VHA when necessary. Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-3:30PM, Rotating On-Call and Holidays Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56662F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: 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. (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATION). English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. 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: GS 11- Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) Experience: 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. NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; properly and independently handle unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions. It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: GS-9 KSA's: i. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. ii. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). iii. Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions. iv. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. v. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. In addition to the experience and KSA's listed above, the candidate must also demonstrate all of the following technical KSA's: 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. References: APPENDIX G19. VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II. NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST Qualification Standards. December 10, 2019. GS-0601 Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.