Career Center

Summary

The VA Cheyenne Health Care System is hiring for (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist located in Cheyenne - WY. Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imaging - radioassay - evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control.

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
• To qualify 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 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 (Above the Full performance Level) In addition to meeting the basic requirements the candidate must have: Experience: 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 GS-11 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings
• Ability to obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures
• Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions 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
• Physical Requirements: Bending - pushing - pulling - reaching and occasional kneeling - crawling and squatting
• lifting - carrying - bending - and manipulation of equipment
• patient assistance and positioning
• walking and prolonged standing
• the ability to read written orders - computer screens - patient records - and equipment controls
• and the ability to communicate with patients - physicians - and coworkers
• Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality
• Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients
• ability to make critical decisions - interact with patients of different ages and health conditions - maintain patient confidentiality - work under stressful conditions - such as operating or emergency rooms.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities: Produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• Use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• Have experience in physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings
• Obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient Education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• Analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• Analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions
• Prepare - assay - and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Be familiar with possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications - such as lasix and captopril - to be administered
• Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects
• Receive patients - explain procedure - answer questions relating to the procedure - position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• Obtain clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures
• Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations
• Perform a full range of Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging - non-imaging - in-vitro and therapeutic procedures - including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated - tomographic - quantitative procedures
• Keep updated with new imaging agents - procedures - and methods and write imaging protocols
• Analyze procedure images for quality
• Obtain additional images when necessary
• Be familiar in three-dimensional anatomy
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients
• Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification
• Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist
• Instruct patient - family - and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions
• Perform radiation surveys - post appropriate caution signs - and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required
• Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges
• Read and understand the film badge exposure report
• Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to public - radiation workers and self
• 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 and images
• Schedule patient procedures - taking into consideration camera availability - scan length - patient condition - the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies - other clinic appointments of the patient - contraindications for the test and urgency of the request
• Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for their scan - i.e
• NPO - follow certain diet - bowel prep - etc
• Utilize and practice the concepts of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principal when maintaining radiation exposures
• Assure that all Nuclear Medicine - Medical Center - VISN and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods
• Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure to self - public and coworkers
• Contacting the Radiopharmacy and Radiation Safety Officer if needed
• Calibrate thyroid uptake system - gamma cameras - dose calibrators and well counter
• Adjust and maintain instruments - verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards
• Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies - products - equipment and/or radio pharmaceuticals
• Instruct Nuclear Medicine students - Radiology students - new technologists - residents and others on techniques - procedures - equipment use - etc
• Assist in maintaining inventory of supplies and notify supervisor of low level of supplies in a timely manner
• Perform other nuclear medicine related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:30 a.m
• - 5:00 p.m
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 442-56089-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized