Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will function in Radiology Service.

Qualifications

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 American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)
• NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: graduation from an educational program in nuclear medicine technology accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation
• or national certification as a registered medical technologist or registered radiologic technologist
• or a bachelor's or associate's degree in one of the physical or biological sciences - and 4 years of clinical NMT experience
• English Language Proficiency: [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Grade Determinations: GS-5: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-7: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service to qualify for the GS-7. Examples of specialized experience include - but are not limited to: Utilizing the proper methods of receipt - use - storage - and disposal of radioactive material
• Performing and evaluating basic quality control on all imaging and non-imagining instrumentation and auxiliary equipment
• Providing basic care - recognizing and responding to emergency conditions
• Providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imagining - therapy with unsealed radioactive materials - radioassay - in-vivo or in-vitro cell AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the knowledge - skills and abilities below: Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations [that pertain to nuclear medicine technology practices.] Knowledge of the medical sciences such as anatomy - physiology - chemistry - and physics and how they relate to the cardiovascular - skeletal - endocrine - respiratory - gastrointestinal - and genitourinary systems of the human body
• Knowledge of radioactive package types - package surveys - and radioactive materials record management
• Ability to independently use and interpret Geiger-Mueller meter
• GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service to qualify for the GS-9. Examples of specialized experience include - but are not limited to: Preparing - assaying - and administering radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Recognizing possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications - such as Lasix and captopril - to be administrated
• Operating nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures with minimal supervision
• Administrating radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients
• Performing radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician
• AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the knowledge - skills and abilities below: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
• Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO)
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
• Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
• Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures
• References: VA Handbook 5005/125 - Part II - Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09
• Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to do the following: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over) - moderate carrying (15-44lbs) - pushing - use of fingers - use of both hands - walking (up to 8hrs) - standing (up to 8hrs) - repeated bending (up to 8hrs) - ability to distinguish basic colors - emotional/mental stability
• Environmental factors include: exposure to radiant energy - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working closely with others and/or working alone.

Duties

• Nuclear Medicine Technologists will - with supervision - provide a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imaging - therapy with unsealed radioactive materials - radioassay - in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling
• evaluate abnormal results
• use and maintain equipment
• set up and monitor quality control
• work within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - Department of Transportation (DOT) - National Health Physics Program - Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others
• Duties include but not limited to: Operating nuclear medicine equipment such as imaging systems such as SPECT - SPECT/CT - PET and PET/CT - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures
• Also operate and understand the PET dose infusion system
• Possessing a good working knowledge of processing of data
• Understanding and performing exposure rate calculations
• Performing 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 and Positron Emission Tomographic studies
• Performing and understanding a range of hybrid imaging including SPECT/CT and PET/CT
• Knowledgeable in low dose Computed Tomography aspects including KeV and MAS settings
• Understanding attenuation correction and anatomical landmarks as they relate to CT
• Attentive to CT safety and reducing the patient's dose to as low as reasonably possible
• Performing radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician
• Instructing patient - family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions
• Performing radiation surveys - post appropriate caution signs - and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required
• Scheduling 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
• Performing required technical procedures for safe receipt - handling - transport - usage and disposal of radioactive materials - assuring compliance with multiple regulatory and medical center policies
• Performing daily laboratory surveys - wipe tests and bio-assays
• Recognizing evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles
• Preparing - assaying - and administering radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday (Rotating shifts as needed) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 94133-0 - 94134-0 - 94135-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized