Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will be responsible for the safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials. It will assist in the development of internal clinical guidelines/protocols, ensure patient safety and maintain a patient centric customer service focus.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• English Language Proficiency: [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part.
• 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:
• (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR
• (2) 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. (Transcripts required).

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

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. Experience includes but is no limited to :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.

Preferred Experience:

• Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the Nuclear Medicine Certification Board
• Computed Tomography (CT) Certification through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified by the American Heart Association
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS} Certification preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience practicing Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Additional certification(s), such as Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT), or PET/CT certification preferred.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience listed above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

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.

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 in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected or MR fused images. They carry out these complex assignments independently. Assignments may include advanced therapies. The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II APPENDIX G19. NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-[0]601.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over.
Heavy Carrying, 45 pounds and over.
Straight pulling (1 hour)Pushing (1-2 hours).
Reaching above shoulder.
Use of fingers.
Both hands required.
Walking (3 hours)Standing (3 hours).
Repeated bending (1 hour).
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4.
Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Responsibilities:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until October 9, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 1, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks. 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. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMTs) 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, The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Work closely with the nuclear medicine physician(s) to optimize patient care and obtain the highest quality images.
• 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.
• Test blood glucose levels in patients and assist with vital sign monitoring. Respond properly to results that are outside normal range. Follow appropriate steps for critical results notification.
• Be knowledgeable of possible side effects attributable to radiopharmaceuticals and/or other non-radioactive medications to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects.
• Receive patients, explain procedures, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Use closed-loop communication for both the outpatient and inpatient setting.
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family.
• Appropriately move and position wheelchair and bed bound patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer, and utilizing lift assistance, as needed.
• Be vigilant in patient safety. Maintain patient safety at all times and notify the Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist concerning any safety issues to be corrected.
• Work closely with Nuclear Cardiac Stress Lab staff to maximize patient care throughput and efficiency. Collaborate with stress lab personnel regarding injections, scheduling and care of patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging procedures.
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, hybrid scanners, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures.
• Administrative functions may include participating in procuring supplies and equipment; documenting laboratory operations; participating in radiation safety protocols and taking an active role in radiation reduction programs; participating in departmental inspections conducted by various licensing, regulatory, and accrediting agencies; participating in departmental quality assurance or quality improvement projects; and participating in scheduling 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. Perform anatomic/hybrid imaging procedures (example: SPECT/CT), as well as bone densitometry/DXA in accordance with ISCD guidelines.
• Analyze images for quality. Recommend techniques or additional images, when necessary. Participate in quality assurance activity, such as precision assessment.
• Be knowledgeable in physiology, as well as anatomy. This includes skills needed for hybrid imaging.
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilize necessary quality management methods of patient identification, such as the use of two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Follow National Patient Safety Guidelines put forth by the Joint Commission.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:30am-3:00pm; 7:00am-3:30pm; 7:30am-4:00pm; 8:00am-4:30pm; On-Call Rotation
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
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
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $82,807