The incumbent performs technical work in support of Ancillary services Radiology/Nuclear Medicine department. They are expected to not only perform the full scope and complexity of a journey level nuclear medicine technologist, but are also responsible for independently performing a wide variety of specialized and complex nuclear medicine procedures including but not limited to: diagnostic imaging (ex. SPECT/CT, Cardiac and General NM), and multifaceted radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides effective patient care by being responsive to the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Performs patient assessment of medication use, mobility, cognitive function, and sensory changes in patient. Performs venipuncture and/or checks IV patency. Administers radiopharmaceuticals, preparing appropriate dosage(s), determining proper route of administration, and administering radiopharmaceuticals intravenously or orally to patient, determining the need for and performing specialized injection techniques. Receives radioactive material (RAM) packages and responds appropriately if the package is damaged or wet. Monitors RAM package for external exposure and removable contamination. Calculates patient dosages administered for procedures utilizing decay factor corrections when appropriate. Draws up correct volume using aseptic and radiation safety techniques, verifies activity in dose calibrator, and accurately records data. Chooses appropriate volumetric or gravimetric techniques to dilute standard and adds radioactive material identical to that given the patient quantity sufficient to appropriate volume. Disposes of radioactive waste by segregating, monitoring, labeling, and transferring waste to appropriate storage areas. Responsible for the equipment quality assurance program to include the technical aspects of operation and safety. Calibrates instruments, evaluates malfunctions and initiates repairs. Monitors quality assurance on equipment, ancillary instrumentation, procedures and patient care. Evaluates performance of scintillation cameras by performing basic and special quality controls checks to determine the proper operation of the imaging and ancillary equipment. Evaluates performance of scintillation probes, well counters and dose calibrators by performing constancy checks and quarterly and/or semi-annual linearity and accuracy tests as prescribed by the facility licensure. Prepares and maintains radiation safety records in nuclear medicine information system (NMIS) and retrieves records as needed for the RSO, consulting physicist, supervisor, NRC, NHPP, and/or the Joint Commission. Performs difficult, complex, non-standardized tests using various equipment. Evaluates and adapts new procedures for introduction into general use. Assists in the development of new computer applications in nuclear medicine and advanced therapies. Selects, prepares, and uses proper imaging cameras, computer workstations, uptake probe, well counter, Geiger counter, and auxiliary equipment (IV and syringe pumps, ECG gating devices, etc.) to perform a wide variety of functional nuclear medicine studies. Evaluates the procedure and identifies variances that may affect the patient or outcome of the study. Uses professional judgment to act based on these variances and respect for patient's dignity and age-specific needs. Positions the patient and equipment to obtain desired images or data. Adapts imaging or computer parameters to provide the best possible diagnostic study. Performs specialized/complex imaging procedures, such as rest and stress myocardial perfusion, hepatobiliary, hemangioma, lasix renal, captopril renal, and infection studies. Assists provider in the cardiac stress lab while performing exercise or pharmaceutical stress exams associated with myocardial perfusion imaging. Specialized/complex procedures may require administration of interventional drugs, such as cholecystokinin under the supervision of a physician/physician assistant and using special techniques for administering radiopharmaceuticals. Displays in-depth knowledge of molecular level physiological functions that relate to glucose metabolism, blood flow, brain oxygen utilization, perfusion, and receptor-ligand binding rates. Also, has a thorough understanding of physiologic processes that relate to organ system function and anatomy and their radiopharmaceutical demonstration of normal and pathologic states. Performs non-imaging in-vivo procedures, such as thyroid uptake. Records data and calculates and analyzes results for accuracy and clinical correlation. Determines the appropriate sequence for multiple procedure requests and coordinates Nuclear Medicine procedures with other diagnostic procedures or therapies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:93057-A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. 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. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical demands may involve minimal lifting usually less than 50 lbs. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must fully utilize all safety precautions and equipment provided by the medical center, and in compliance with local and accrediting agency requirements.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Carol Phillips
• Phone: 765-251-1129
• Email: [email protected]