This position is located within the VA Portland Healthcare System located in Portland, OR.

Duties

The Advanced Nuclear Medicine Technologist has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity, ranging in a wide variety. This assignment performs fusion imaging such as complex PET-CT procedures, diagnostic imaging in general Nuclear Medicine, stress testing and SPECT-CT imaging in Nuclear Cardiology, radionuclide therapy for various cancers; operation and required quality assurance of various gamma cameras, PET-CT scanner, and monitoring instrumentation; working within radiation safety guidelines of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), Joint Commission, among others. Incumbent maybe required to perform some diagnostic CT duties. These complex assignments are carried out independently. This Multi-Modality Technologist must hold appropriate specific certification in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT) or ARRT (CT)) and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. Major duties will include, but will not be limited to: a. Serves as a technologist for the PET/CT modality, performing daily and periodic quality control testing of PET/CT scanner (and other supporting equipment), organizing workflow, and performing patient studies. b. Receives patient, explains procedure, answers questions relating to the procedure, positions patient for all necessary views and tends to patient comfort. c. Obtains clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family for choosing appropriate imaging protocol. d. Qualified to obtain patient blood glucose level prior to injecting imaging tracer to determine if scan is appropriate based on that level. Routinely passes quality control testing to stay current on operating glucometer. Performs daily quality control test to check glucometer accuracy. e. Prepares, assays, and administers F-18 FOG or other prescribed positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals, recording, patient and dose parameters essential to interpretation of scan. f. Under radiologist supervision, administers IV contrast to enhance CT images after reviewing patient chart for contraindications and renal lab values (impaired renal function or hypersensitivity). g. Utilizes knowledge and proficiency in the performance of CT scans with optimization of scanning parameters (mA, kVp, pitch, FOV, etc). h. Documents the use of CT contrast, including any allergic reactions, on all paperwork and in the computerized patient data system (i.e. CPRS). i. Prepares studies for nuclear medicine physician's and general radiologist's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure, processing, and transmitting images to fusion workstation/PACS. j. Troubleshoots clinical and/or instrumentation problems with the PET-CT modality, interfacing with biomedical engineering as necessary. k. Instructs nuclear medicine students, radiology students, new technologists, residents, and others on techniques, procedures, and equipment use; along with motivating all to obtain a greater knowledge of the field of nuclear medicine. Work Schedule: 7:30AM-4:00PM with rotating on call days Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• VA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/

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 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. English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-11: [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. 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. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G19, Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred Experience: This is a Multi-Modality position, an Advanced ARRT (CT) credential is required for this position. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Reaching above the shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (3+ hours); Standing (3+ hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental & emotional stability. Environmental Factors: Working closely with other; Working alone; Prorated or irregular hours of work (On-call hours); Exposure to body fluids; Exposure to ionizing radiation; Radiation sources.

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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Artan Hoxha
• Phone: 5032208262 X58486
• Email: [email protected]