Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

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
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology
• Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75
• They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED - and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T)
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT) (T))
• Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for TRT certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(B) for up to one year at the entry level only as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2)(B)
• Graduate TRTs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary graduate TRT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases - TRTs must actively pursue meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become certified within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may result in termination of employment
• Loss of Certification: Once certified - a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• 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: Grade Determinations for Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist GS-10: Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity - range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments
• This includes basic and advanced treatment modalities and procedures - which exceed the full performance level
• Employee will be assigned the responsibility of emergency on-call treatments - if applicable - and perform simple Monitor Unit calculations
• Other assignments include but - are not limited to performing CT simulations - troubleshooting for basic problems and machine issues - maintaining treatment rooms and equipment in a clean - neat and safe condition and assisting patients to and from the treatment room
• 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
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
• (b) Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• (c) Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations - including independently operating the CT equipment - following directives - designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtaining optimal imaging - completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation
• (d) Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images
• 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-10
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• Major Duties - but are not limited to: Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment
• Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered
• Verifies patient consent and treatment area
• Performs complex radiation oncology treatment modalities including but not limited to IMRT
• Receives patients and briefly explains methods of procedures to the patients
• Positions patients - selects and sets technical factors - sets up and adjust accessory equipment required
• Indicates on patient's skin with tattoos and/or markings as necessary needed to locate treatment area
• Fabricates and verifies cast molds made from cerro-bend and used for radiation treatments as needed or required
• Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment
• Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up - with proper patient positioning - immobilizing devices - to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment
• Performs administration of daily dosage to patients in accordance with preset parameters
• Delivers radiation therapy necessary for requested treatment
• Operates CT and PET/CT simulator - provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-up that is used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator
• Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone bean CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system
• Utilizes electronic and radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions - field size - field shaping - SSD - field compensators and beam restrictions
• Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices - i.e. - wedges - bolus - collimator angles - or cerro-bend blocks for fields to be treated
• Maintains patient records and files
• Follows HIPA guidelines regarding patient information
• Takes port/verification films on patients under radiation treatment - to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures - verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request
• Films badges are worn in compliance with radiation regulations and guidelines of the state
• Assists patients to and from the treatment room - as well as in transferring on and off of the treatment table as necessary
• Maintains adequate supplies in the department and work stations
• Maintains treatment rooms and equipment in a clean - neat - and safe condition at all times - as well as ensures appropriate supply availability
• Notifies physics staff of equipment issues and follows instruction
• Reports all environmental and/or equipment issues by the use of the computerized work order system reporting to the Bio-Med department
• Follows established safety practices and reports to supervisor as promptly as possible - unsafe conditions - unsafe practices or any occupational illness or injury sustained
• Adheres to all safety and health standards - regulations - work practices and uses proper protective equipment as required
• Participates in reviewing - revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed
• Performs irregular hour emergency treatments on standby - 24 hours per day coverage - with availability within 2 hours from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient
• Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges
• Records all parameters involved with each patient including daily and accumulated doses - treatment time and field site
• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 15th - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 15th of each month
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• **The Relocation Recruitment Incentives and (PCS) are authorized
• ** Work Schedule: Monday to Friday-7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 61265F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized