Come Join the team! The practice of radiation therapy is performed by healthcare professionals responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for treating diseases, primarily cancer. Radiation therapy requires an interdisciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical radiation physicists, medical dosimetrists, and nurses. The radiation therapist administers the radiation to the patient throughout the course of treatment.

Duties

The practice of radiation therapy is performed by healthcare professionals responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for treating diseases, primarily cancer. Radiation therapy requires an interdisciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical radiation physicists, medical dosimetrists, and nurses. The radiation therapist administers the radiation to the patient throughout the course of treatment. Radiation therapy integrates scientific knowledge, technical competence, and patient interaction skills to provide safe and accurate treatment with compassion. A radiation therapist recognizes patient conditions essential for the successful completion of simulation and treatment. Radiation therapists must demonstrate an understanding of human anatomy, human physiology, pathology and medical terminology. In addition, comprehension of oncology, radiobiology, radiation physics, radiation oncology techniques, cross sectional anatomy, radiation safety and the psychosocial aspects of cancer are required. They must maintain a high degree of accuracy in positioning and treatment techniques. TRTs must possess, use and maintain knowledge about radiation protection and safety. They assist the radiation oncologist to localize the treatment area and deliver high doses of ionizing radiation as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. The basic treatment deliveries consist of two-dimensional and three-dimensional treatment plans. The complex treatment deliveries consist of the advanced treatment delivery modalities as listed below and new emerging technologies on the horizon. Simulation. Simulation utilizes multiple imaging modalities to generate images of the human anatomy with emphasis placed on areas relevant to the treatment fields. This includes selecting and designing multiple types of positioning and immobilization devices to maximize accuracy for reproducibility during treatment process. During simulation the TRTs address complications brought about by the patient's condition and disease process. These images obtained through the simulation procedure are transferred to dosimetry for a reproducible deliverable treatment plan. Precise documentation of the procedure and set-up are essential for accuracy of the prescribed treatment. Advanced Treatment Delivery Modalities: Advanced treatment delivery modalities consist of the most advanced techniques, the current state of the art, and standard care provided in the community. These include: (a) Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) (b) Imaged Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) (c) Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) (d) Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) (e) Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) (f) Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) (g) High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR) (h) Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy (LDR) (i) 4D Simulation (j) Gated Radiation Therapy (k) Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) (l) Optical Surface Imaging System (OSIS) (4) Mold Room. Mold room technology utilizes materials and methodologies to design and fabricate molds as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. Mold room functions are varied and dependent on complexity and facility needs which may include electron cut outs, blocking, and other specialized devices. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000

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. (1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T). (2) Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience or 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. English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-6 (1) Experience. None above the basic requirements (2) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)) (3) Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a staff TRT in an entry-level developmental position. They complete basic radiation therapy and basic clinic duties. They receive guidance and oversight from experienced staff members and require direct supervision. (4) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): None at this level GS-7 (1)Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2)Assignment. TRTs at this grade level serve as a staff TRTs in a developmental position. They perform a substantially full range of basic clinical duties and basic treatment delivery modalities, but receive guidance, direct oversight, and directions regarding complex treatment delivery, unfamiliar, or unusual situations for complex patient clinical issues. Assignments at this level include setting up of the treatment room with prescribed immobilization devices and; supplies for each individual patient before treatment and treating basic and some advanced radiation treatment modalities on a linear accelerator. (3).Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Knowledge to set-up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Knowledge of machine warm up procedures for interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles. (c) Ability to perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and using the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (d) Knowledge of operating computed tomography (CT) Simulator to preform simulations that is demonstrated by following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, and completing accurate and precise patient documentation. (e) Skill in communicating all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team. (f) Knowledge of utilizing an on-board imaging system (i.e., Linac's or comparable system) to interpret the images. (g) Skill in performing radiation safety practices including when to report discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, accrediting agencies, policies and department standard operating procedures GS-8 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities/core competencies described at that level. Assignment. Staff TRTs at this developmental level perform a substantially full range of basic clinical duties and basic treatment delivery modalities. They will receive guidance and directions regarding most complex treatment delivery modalities, and unfamiliar or unusual situations for complex patient clinical issues. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to set-up of the treatment room with prescribed immobilization devices and supplies for each individual patient before treatment. They deliver treatments providing basic and some advanced radiation treatment modalities on a linear accelerator. Staff TRTs conduct daily quality measures, machine warm up procedures, interpretation of output levels compared with established thresholds and other assignments. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles. (c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations, design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation. GS-9 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments, including advanced treatment modalities and procedures. TRTs at this level may be independently assigned to most areas of radiation therapy and to some advanced therapies. Assignments at this level include but not limited to: providing emergency treatment delivery, simple Monitor Unit dose calculation as assigned; scheduling simulation and treatment procedures; handling and storing radioactive materials; educating patient, family and staff on the administration of ionizing radiation; inspecting equipment for safety, operability and troubleshooting basic problems and machine issues. 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 (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. (c) Skill to independently perform patient chart reviews and effectively document records utilizing an electronic medical records system and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 6 to GS-9.

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 Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Neshe Ruiz-Gonzalez
• Phone: 1-804-566-0889
• Email: [email protected]