Career Center

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior-level Nuclear Medicine Technologist for Diagnostic Imaging Service at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center located in Spokane - Washington.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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
• Loss of Credential: Once certified - NMTs must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted certification
• Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment
• English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• 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
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 year of experience with Nuclear Imaging
• Experience with scheduling and ordering radiopharmaceuticals preferred
• 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: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs) - light carrying (under 15lbs) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - kneeling - repeated bending - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Environmental factors are working with radiant energy - electrical energy - working around machinery with moving parts - and working in a "hot lab" with radiopharmaceuticals.

Duties

• Functions Develops and maintains written/electronic procedure manuals for technical guidance
• Develops new protocols for imaging procedures
• Serves as liaison between the supervisor of Diagnostic Imaging Service - and Puget Sound VAMC Nuclear Medicine Service
• Co-ordinates quarterly surveys with VISN 20 Radiation Safety Officer
• Analyzes consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and takes appropriate actions
• Calculates exposure rates
• Properly documents excessive radiation exposure - analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels - and recommend measures to reduce
• Reports - investigates and takes appropriate action for misadministration of radiopharmaceuticals
• Ensures that Nuclear Medicine Section is in full compliance with the regulations - standards and licensure proscriptions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission)
• Performs and monitors the full range of specialized tests or studies per established methods and protocols - reviewing and analyzing conventional testing problems and recommending or implementing solutions to overcome them
• Orders the appropriate radiopharmaceuticals and other supplies required by the Nuclear Medicine Department to accomplish the daily studies
• Maintains appropriate records
• When requested by supervisor - meets with sales representatives of various supply companies to investigate new and more cost-effective suppliers of necessary supplies and radio pharmaceuticals
• Maintains an organized file of current sources of supplies
• Assists in coordinating Radiation Safety Committee activities
• Works with the Radiation Safety officer - for the Nuclear Medicine Service and will be responsible for compliance with the provisions of the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Broad Medical License
• Uses established radiation procedures - such as use of proper shielding - syringe shields and wearing exposure badges
• Plans study or test such as routine and non-routine imaging and functioning studies
• Makes decisions on data and methodology to obtain necessary results in conformance with standard practices
• Analyzes computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiates corrective measures
• Evaluates study or test quality using quality control criteria
• Prepares radiopharmaceuticals for patient administration
• Performs quality control procedures of equipment and radiopharmaceuticals
• Troubleshoots gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
• Prepares supply of radiopharmaceutical by use of various radioactive materials - pharmaceutical reagents - dilutions and chemical manipulations such as heating or tagging in an appropriate medium
• Critiques patient studies for the necessity of additional images and reviews clinical data during the study to ascertain any considerations that may make different images necessary of an individual case
• Coordinates the daily work schedules with cardiology nurse (Nuclear Cardiology studies)
• Performs required room surveys or swipes
• Participates in the development - monitoring - reporting - and action components of the Nuclear Medicine quality assurance program and performs procedures associated with quality assurance protocols
• Participates in the annual VA Nuclear Medicine QA project
• Documents excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7am - 3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized