The Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist position is located within the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Imaging Service of the Atlanta VA Health Care System. Incumbent will perform CT treatment planning scans for treatment planning/tumor localization, compensators, and customized patient immobilization devices and deliver the prescribed therapeutic radiation for the purpose cancer therapy. These treatments are performed by operating a Linear Accelerator (LINAC).

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures before simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered. Verifies patient consent prior to initiating CT simulation. Prepares required contrast materials that are to be used for treatment simulations. Ensures proper use and administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient morbidity and mortality, therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage. Must be alert to patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Properly operates CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups. That can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. Provides custom patient immobilization devices as instructed or departmental protocol. Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault. Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53193F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10: 1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled. 2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/137, Part II, Appendix G26, January 15, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, ARRT (T) Certification, 4+ years Experience. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted/dependent on MRI safety); speed in working; and emotional stability. 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Donna Mackey-Pollard
• Phone: 334-590-9523
• Email: [email protected]